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J. Charles Jennette, MD, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, and professor of medicine, has received the Robert H. Heptinstall Lifetime Achievement Award from the Renal Pathology Society (RPS). The honor was presented February 29 at the RPS Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA.


Jennette’s service, teaching and research activities focus on kidney disease. From 1999–2019, he was Kenneth M. Brinkhous Distinguished Professor and Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Jennette is executive director of the UNC Nephropathology Laboratory, which evaluates approximately 2,000 renal biopsy specimens per year, and is co-director, with Ronald J. Falk, MD, of the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network, which coordinates kidney disease research by approximately 300 nephrologists throughout the Southeastern United States.

Jennette’s research and scholarship are directed at understanding the causes, and improving the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, especially those caused by inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms. He has published over 300 journal articles, over 140 book chapters, and 18 books.

Jennette is editor of Heptinstall’s “Pathology of the Kidney” and serves on the editorial boards of professional journals dealing with pathology or kidney diseases. He has given over 450 national and international invited presentations, including more than 20 named lectureships. Notable awards include the Renal Pathology Society Jacob Churg Award for Outstanding Contributions in Renal Pathology, the European Society of Pathology Honorary Diploma for Outstanding Achievements in Nephropathology, the UNC Medical Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award, and the Distinguished Service Award of the Association of Pathology Chairs.

The RPS promotes excellence in diagnosis, fosters basic, clinical and translational research, encourages training and education in renal disease, sponsors US based and international conferences and symposia, and brings news and updates pertaining to renal pathology to its members around the world.