Ali Abu-Alfa
Biography
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Biography
Dr Ali Abu-Alfa is a tenured Professor of Medicine, and Chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB). He is the Director for the Human Research Protection Program at AUB, and for Research Affairs at AUB Medical Center. He joined AUB in 2010 after spending 2 decades at the Yale School of Medicine and remains Professor Adjunct at Yale in the Section of Nephrology. He led the Division of Nephrology and Hypertesion at AUB from 2010 to 2023.
He earned his MD degree from AUB in 1985, completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University in 1990 and a fellowship in Nephrology at Yale in 1993. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, is a certified hypertension specialist (AHSCP) and a Fellow of the American Heart Association and member of its hypertension council.
Dr Abu-Alfa is the immediate past Chair of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN)-Middle East Regional Board. He assumed the role of Chair of ISN Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group in April 2023. He is a former member of the ISN Dialysis and CME committees and had completed a 3-year term as member of the KDIGO Executive committee in Dec 2018. He is the immediate past-President of the Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension.
Dr Abu-Alfa has been a strong advocate for peritoneal dialysis (PD) for over 25 years. He has been involved in ISPD in leadership roles since 2008, first as co-Chair of the North American Chapter then as founding and current Chair of the Middle East Chapter, in addition to serving on its various committees over the years. Most recently, he was instrumental in helping put together the successful bid for ISPD 2024 congress to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sept 26-29), and is co-chair for the organizing committee and the scientific program committee.
In addition to his strong engagement in these regional and international nephrology circles, Dr Abu-Alfa continues to teach and mentor students, residents and fellows while pursuing his scientific interests in the areas of peritoneal dialysis, complex hypertension, chronic kidney disease, imaging issues in kidney patients including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and use of gadolinium-based contrast agents. He is also very active in the sphere of research ethics, its regulatory and administrative frameworks, and protection of human subjects in research.
Education & Training
- TraineeYale University (2004)
- AuditorYale University (1996)
- Clinical FellowYale University (1993)
- ResidentNorthwestern University (1990)
- Research FellowNorthwestern University (1987)
- InternAmerican University of Beirut (1986)
- BSAmerican University of Beirut, Mathematics (1985)
- MDAmerican University of Beirut, Medicine (1985)
Certifications
- Board CertificationAB of Internal Medicine, Nephrology (1992, recertified: 2015)
Activities
- Chair, Middle East Regional BoardBrussels, Brussels, Belgium 2021Chair, Middle East Regional Board
- Council MemberBrussels, Brussels, Belgium 2021Council Member
- Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect; Renal Disaster Preparedness WorkgroupBrussels, Brussels, Belgium 2021Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect; Renal Disaster Preparedness Workgroup
- Immediate Past PresidentBeirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon (2018-2021)Immediate Past President
- SymposiumSharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 2018Invited Contributor
- Member, Executive CommitteeBrussels, Brussels, Belgium (2016-2018)Member, Executive Committee
- Founding PresidentBrussels, Brussels, Belgium 2014Founding President
- Conference co-Chair, 4th Peritoneal Dialysis conference of the North American Chapter of ISPDNew Haven, CT, United States 2011Conference co-Chair, 4th Peritoneal Dialysis conference of the North American Chapter of ISPD
- Clinical ResearcherBeirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon 2010Clinical Researcher
- Educator and MentorBeirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon 2010Educator and Mentor
- Attending PhysicianBeirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon 2010Attending Physician
- Member, Board of Directors and Medical Advisory BoardNew Haven, CT, United States (2010-2018)Member, Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board
- Member, Dialysis Advisory GroupWashington, DC, United States (2008-2011)Member, Dialysis Advisory Group
- Co-President, North American Chapter of ISPDDenver, CO, United States (2008-2011)Co-President, North American Chapter of ISPD
- Annual Scientific Yale Fibrosis SymposiumNew Haven, CT, United States (2007-2015)Annual Scientific Yale Fibrosis Symposium
- Symposium Chair - PD FrontiersKuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2007-2011)Symposium Chair - PD Frontiers
- Update in Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology - COMGANKazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia 2003Update in Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology - COMGAN
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Fellow | International Society of Nephrology | 2023 |
Fellow | American Heart Association | 2018 |
Fellow | American Society of Hypertension | 2016 |
Best Doctors in America (Elected by Peers for Inclusion) | Best Doctors in America | 2013 |
Alpha Omega Alpha Faculty Inductee | Alpha Omega Alpha | 2011 |
Teacher of the Year Award | Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut | 2011 |
Clinical Hypertension Specialist | American Society of Hypertension / AHSCP | 2005 |
Nominated for Humanism in Medicine Award | Yale School of Medicine | 2003 |
Fellow | American College of Physicians | 1997 |
Trainee Research Award | American Federation of Clinical Research | 1994 |
Department of Medicine Rambach Award for Best Overall Performance as a PGY1 | Northwestern University Medical School | 1988 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
American University of Beirut, Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs | Chair | 2022 - Present |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | ISPD Congress, Singapore | 2021 - 2022 |
International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis | Scientific Committee | 2021 - 2022 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | ISPD 2022 Congress - Singapore | 2021 - 2022 |
Abstract Grader , International Society of Nephrology - World Congress of Nephrology | Abstract Grader | 2021 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | Immediate Past President | 2021 - Present |
International Society of Nephrology | Renal Disaster Preparedness Workgroup | 2021 - Present |
International Society of Nephrology | Middle East Regional Board | 2021 - Present |
Turkish Journal of Nephrology | Editorial Board Member | 2021 - Present |
American University of Beirut, Dean's Advisory Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center | Member | 2020 - Present |
American University of Beirut, Senate Steering Committee | Member | 2020 - 2021 |
Global Home Dialysis Summits, International Home Dialysis Roundtable Coalition | Online via ZOOM | 2020 - 2021 |
International Society of Nephrology - World Congress of Nephrology | CKD Section | 2020 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - Glasgow Congress | Abstract Grader | 2020 |
Journal of Human Hypertension | Reviewer | 2020 |
King AbdulAziz International Medical Research Center - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Research Protocols | 2020 - Present |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (LSNH) | 13th Congress of LSNH | 2019 |
International Society of Nephrology | Middle East Regional Board | 2019 - 2021 |
International Society of Nephrology | Renal Disaster Preparedness Workgroup | 2019 - 2021 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | EURO PD, ISPD 2020 Congress, Glasgow Scotland | 2019 - 2020 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis and EURO-PD | ISDP 2020 Congress - Glasgow, Scotland | 2019 - 2020 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | 13th Congress of LSNH | 2019 |
International Society of Nephrology | Council Member | 2019 - Present |
International Society of Nephrology | Continuous Medical Education Committee | 2019 - Present |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | President | 2018 - 2021 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | Communication and Media Committee | 2018 - Present |
Council on Hypertension, American Heart Association | Member | 2018 - Present |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - Middle East Chapter | Pre-course with 7th ISN / Emirates Medical Association Nephrology Congress; Dubai, UAE | 2017 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension - KDIGO (joint) | Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Implementation Session | 2017 |
American University of Beirut University, Senate Committee of Faculty Affairs | Member | 2017 - Present |
American University of Beirut Medical Center - EPIC AUBHealth Steering Committee | Member | 2017 - Present |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | 11 and 12 Annual Congress of LSNH | 2017 - 2018 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (LSNH) | 11 and 12 Annual Congress of LSNH | 2017 - 2018 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Joint Implementation Session | 2017 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - Middle East Chapter | Pre-Course with 7th ISN / Emirates Medical Association of Nephrology Congress, Dubai, UAE | 2017 |
International Society of Nephrology | Middle East Regional Board | 2016 - 2019 |
Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) | Member | 2016 - 2018 |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | President-elect | 2016 - 2018 |
International Society of Nephrology | Dialysis Committee | 2015 - 2021 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - Middle East Chapter | Pre-course with 6th ISN / Emirates Medical Association Nephrology Congress; Dubai, UAE | 2014 |
Global Fibrosis Foundation | Secretary | 2014 - 2018 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - Middle East Chapter | Pre-course with 6th ISN / Emirates Medical Association Nephrology Congress, Dubai, UAE | 2014 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | Middle East Chapter | 2014 - Present |
Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension | Yearly marking of World Kidney Day in Lebanon with ISN/IFKF | 2013 - 2021 |
American University of Beirut and Yale University | Joint CME sponsored educational programs | 2013 - Present |
American University of Beirut Medical Center - Performance Improvement Committee | Member | 2012 - Present |
American University of Beirut - FOGARTY NIH Grant | Scholars in HeAlth Research Program (SHARP) - FOGARTY NIH Grant | 2012 - 2017 |
PLOS One | Reviewer | 2012 - Present |
American University of Beirut Medical Center - Information Technology Steering Committee | Member | 2011 - Present |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - North American Chapter and Yale University | 4th Peritoneal Dialysis conference, New Haven, CT | 2011 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis - North American Chapter | Yale University, 4th Peritoneal Dialysis Conference, New Haven, CT | 2011 |
Renal Pathology Video Conference Series (with Professor Gilbert Moeckel); Joint Yale University and American University of Beirut | Coordinator | 2011 - Present |
American University of Beirut and Yale University | Renal Pathology VideoConference Series (with Prof Gilbert Moeckel) | 2011 - Present |
New England Journal of Medicine | Reviewer | 2011 - Present |
Peritoneal Dialysis International | Editorial Board Member | 2011 - Present |
American University of Beirut - Department of Internal Medicine Promotion Committee | Chair | 2010 - 2013 |
Medical Advisory Board, Global Fibrosis Foundation | Member | 2010 - 2018 |
Lebanese Medical Journal | Reviewer | 2010 - Present |
Yale Medical Group-Board of Governors - Clinical Information Systems Committee | Member | 2009 - 2010 |
International Society of Nephrology | COMGAN Ambassador Program | 2009 - 2012 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | Informatics Committee - Web site design | 2009 - 2011 |
European Journal of Internal Medicine | Reviewer | 2009 - 2010 |
American Journal of Medical Sciences | Reviewer | 2008 - 2013 |
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis | North American Chapter | 2008 - 2011 |
American Society of Nephrology | Dialysis Advocacy Group | 2008 - 2011 |
Yale School of Medicine and Americares | PD for Acute Kidney Injury in Cambodia | 2008 - 2011 |
eMedicine CME Case Presentations (Nephrology) | Member, Editorial Board | 2008 - 2011 |
EMedicine Case Series | Reviewer | 2008 - 2010 |
Yale School of Medicine - Progress Committee | Committee Member | 2007 - 2010 |
Yale School of Medicine | Annual Scientific Yale Fibrosis Symposium (started as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Symposium) | 2007 - 2015 |
Annual Scientific Yale Fibrosis Symposium | Co-Organizer | 2007 - 2015 |
Yale New Haven Hospital - Sunrise Informatics Leadership Committee | Member | 2006 - 2010 |
Yale New Haven Hospital - Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee | Member | 2006 - 2010 |
Yale New Haven Hospital - Contrast Committee | Member | 2006 - 2010 |
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology | Reviewer | 2006 - Present |
The Scientific Journal | Editorial Board Member | 2005 - 2011 |
Clinical Nephrology | Editorial Board Member | 2005 - 2009 |
National Kidney Foundation | Clinical Research Committee | 2005 - 2007 |
Peritoneal Dialysis International | Reviewer | 2005 - Present |
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research | Reviewer | 2004 |
Clinical Nephrology | Reviewer | 2004 - Present |
Kidney International | Reviewer | 2004 - Present |
Yale University - Yale Medical Professionals Outreach Program for Yale Undergraduate students | Participant | 2003 - 2010 |
Michael Smith Foundation - Canada | Grant reviewer | 2003 - 2006 |
American Journal of Kidney Diseases | Reviewer | 2002 - 2012 |
American Society of Nephrology | Committee on Informatics | 2002 - 2004 |
National Kidney Foundation of Connecticut | Professional Education Committee | 2001 - 2006 |
American Society of Nephrology - Annual Meetings | Peritoneal Dialysis 2000, 2005, 2013 | 2000 - 2013 |
Yale School of Medicine | Yale Renal Biopsy - CPC Conference Series | 2000 - 2010 |
Yale Renal Biopsy, CPC Conference Series | Coordinator | 2000 - 2010 |
Yale University | Yale Renal Biopsy, CPC Conference Series | 2000 - 2010 |
Yale Univeristy | Yale Renal Biopsy - CPC Conference Series | 2000 - 2010 |
Medical Advisory Board, National Kidney Foundation | Member | 2000 - 2009 |
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology | Reviewer | 2000 - 2008 |
Yale University Physician Assistant Program | Thesis reviewer and Advisor | 1999 - 2008 |
National Kidney Foundation of Connecticut | Research Committee | 1996 - 2006 |
National Kidney Foundation of Connecticut | Reviewer, Research Committee | 1996 - 2000 |