Dr. Ko is a dedicated physiologist and teacher who studies sodium and calcium transport in the kidney, especially as they pertain to kidney stone disease. His integrated approach to scholarship and investigation spans basic science and translational research, with a focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of renal tubular transport of cations in humans. Using urinary exosomal analyses, small but discrete packages of transporter proteins extruded from the epithelial cell into the urinary space, and a variety of molecular and biochemical techniques he is able to characterize the complex regulation of sodium and calcium homeostasis. His current projects include an examination the molecular mechanisms underlying calcium kidney stone formation and determining the hormonal regulators of the sodium chloride co-transporter. Dr. Ko has been heavily involved for a number of years in medical education including pre-med, medical, resident and fellow trainees. He is a fellow of the Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators and the co-director of the Tissues, Cell and Organ Physiology Course at the Pritzker School of Medicine. Nationally, he serves as the director for the American Society of Nephrology’s Tutored Research and Education of Kidney Scholars (TREKS) program at the University of Chicago.
The University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, IL
- Nephrology
2009
Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haven, CT
- Internal Medicine
2004
University of Illinois
Chicago, IL
M.D. - Medicine
2001
University of Illinois
Urbana, IL
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
1997
Early Nephrology Consultation and Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Early Nephrology Consultation and Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 07 01; 9(7):e2622554.
PMID: 42430171
Shaping an Early Nephrology Fellowship Curriculum: Results from the American Society of Nephrology Fellow Survey.
Shaping an Early Nephrology Fellowship Curriculum: Results from the American Society of Nephrology Fellow Survey. Kidney360. 2026 Sep 01; 7(9):2039-2045.
PMID: 42166235
Nephrology Fellows' Cultural Background and Faculty Alignment: A Research Letter.
Nephrology Fellows' Cultural Background and Faculty Alignment: A Research Letter. Kidney Med. 2026 Jan; 8(1):101158.
PMID: 41503192
Subspecialization Trends Across 10 Years of the ASN Nephrology Fellow Survey.
Subspecialization Trends Across 10 Years of the ASN Nephrology Fellow Survey. Am J Kidney Dis. 2025 Jun; 85(6):797-799.
PMID: 39978722
American Society of Nephrology Kidney Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars (TREKS) Program: A 10-Year Interim Analysis.
American Society of Nephrology Kidney Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars (TREKS) Program: A 10-Year Interim Analysis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024 Sep 01; 35(9):1284-1291.
PMID: 38652562
Contribution of thick ascending limb and distal convoluted tubule to glucose-induced hypercalciuria in healthy controls.
Contribution of thick ascending limb and distal convoluted tubule to glucose-induced hypercalciuria in healthy controls. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2023 12 01; 325(6):F811-F816.
PMID: 37823200
Nephrology Trainee Education Needs Assessment: Five Years and a Pandemic Later.
Nephrology Trainee Education Needs Assessment: Five Years and a Pandemic Later. Kidney Med. 2022 Nov; 4(11):100548.
PMID: 36275043
Interleukin 6 mediated activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron.
Interleukin 6 mediated activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2022 11 01; 323(5):C1512-C1523.
PMID: 35912993
The IFN?-PDL1 Pathway Enhances CD8T-DCT Interaction to Promote Hypertension.
The IFN?-PDL1 Pathway Enhances CD8T-DCT Interaction to Promote Hypertension. Circ Res. 2022 05 13; 130(10):1550-1564.
PMID: 35430873
The Pharmacological Inhibition of CaMKII Regulates Sodium Chloride Cotransporter Activity in mDCT15 Cells.
The Pharmacological Inhibition of CaMKII Regulates Sodium Chloride Cotransporter Activity in mDCT15 Cells. Biology (Basel). 2021 Dec 16; 10(12).
PMID: 34943250