Third Annual AKIN Conference Description

Dear Colleague,

On behalf of the organizing committee of AKIN, we would like to invite you to join us for the Third AKIN Conference on Research Initiatives in AKI, June 10-12, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland (USA). The meeting is scheduled to run from 6 PM Tuesday, June 10 through 1PM Thursday June 12. This meeting will immediately follow a Workshop on Assessment of Kidney Function and Damage Sponsored by the NIH NIDDK at the same location from June 9-10, 2008 http://www3.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/kidneyfunction/index.htm.

The primary goal of the meeting is to further the research agenda developed at the last AKIN conference and provide a structured forum for AKIN members to meet, interact and highlight and showcase ongoing research in AKI. Additional goals are to increase awareness of AKI and identify opportunities for specific projects to be leveraged through AKIN/Society Interactions. We anticipate that the conference will provide a unique forum for researchers in this field to establish collaborations with industry and other funding sources (foundations, NIH, societies) for AKI studies and match AKI projects with funding to AKIN members.

The program format is as follows:
1. A welcome reception and poster session on Tuesday evening June 10 for AKIN members, collaborating societies, funding agencies and industry partners to network and present research in progress and information on translational and clinical research opportunities in AKI.
2. Plenary sessions on Wednesday June 11 and Thursday June 12 comprised of short lectures with time for panel discussions to cover the following themes:
a. State of the Art overview on pertinent topics in AKI from international experts
b. A comprehensive update on research in progress in AKI worldwide
c. AKI studies with funding open to enrollment
d. AKIN description and update on activities
e. Initiatives to increase public awareness of AKI
3. A series of breakout sessions on Wednesday to develop recommendations and provide feedback from members, participating societies and industry for prioritizing various AKIN initiatives.
4. Opportunities to network and interact with key thought leaders from academia, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, societies and funding and regulatory agencies.

We look forward to seeing you in Bethesda in June. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Ravindra L Mehta MD
AKIN Organizing Committee