In this episode, world-renowned complement expert Carla Nester (University of Iowa) joins Koyal and Kenar to discuss the state of the art in C3 glomerulopathy and other complement-mediated kidney diseases, the opportunities and unknowns of targeted treatments, the recent advances in understanding of all things complement, and how her med/peds specialization brings additional superpowers to her clinical practice.

Dr. Nester is an adult and pediatric nephrologist, currently serving as Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine in the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, where she also directs or co-directs the Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratory, Pediatric Glomerular Disease Clinic, Rare Renal Disease Clinic, and nephrology fellowship program. She specializes in the diagnosis, clinical management, and transplantation of complement-mediated kidney diseases, including C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) and Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS), and is a leading authority on the successful renal transplant protocol for aHUS patients. Her basic science research focuses on using unique complement functional assays to define complement dysregulation in patients with complement-mediated renal disease.

Dr. Nester is co-chair of the SEISMIC Cross-Stakeholder Summit (AddreSsing accEss Issues in diagnoSis and treatMent of C3G nephropathy and IC-MPGN, July 17-19 2025), hosted by ISGD, NephCure and CompCure. To stay informed of the meeting results, sign up for the ISGD mailing list.

Dr. Nester has disclosed the following relationships:

Novartis: Research Grant Site Principal Investigator, Novartis: Consultant, Apellis: Research Grant Site Principal Investigator, Apellis: Consultant, Biocryst: Research Grant Site Principal Investigator, Biocryst: Consultant, Vertex: Scientific/Medical Advisory Board Member, Retrophin/Travere: Research Grant Site Principal Investigator, AstraZeneca: Consultant