Driving Discoveries 2025

08 October 2025

260 researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, industry partners and members of the Kidney Research UK staff team met in Bristol for our much-anticipated annual conference, Driving Discoveries. We heard about the latest research and plans from inspirational professionals in renal research and built valuable connections.

We were welcomed our meeting chair, Professor Gavin Welsh, and patient co-chair, Stephanie Nicoll who introduced our first session and set the tone for a day of insightful discussions...

Spotlight on rare kidney diseases

This session marked the launch of our new report, Collectively common: the devastating impact of rare kidney diseases in the UK – a comprehensive overview and strategic recommendations of the evolving clinical, regulatory, and policy landscape surrounding rare kidney diseases in the UK. This report highlights the importance of tackling rare kidney diseases and the steps that are needed to meet this challenge.

We explored some recent advances in rare and hereditary kidney diseases. Here, we introduced the PKD Partnership – a new collaboration between Kidney Research UK and the PKD Charity which aims to drive much-needed progress in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) through innovative, patient-led research.

Progress in science and innovation

Leading researchers shared insights into how laboratory science is driving progress in preventing and treating kidney disease including Dr Wen Ding, who discussed her journey in gene therapy research and its promise for rare conditions, and Professor Kevin Marchbank, who presented a new way to reduce immune system targeting of donated kidneys. 

Dr Lucy Plumb

We also had a session on maximising the impact of data in renal medicine where we heard from different speakers, including Dr Lucy Plumb, who highlighted the power of health data to drive innovation in kidney research.

This year we were joined by commercial organisations to share their progress and insights from their journeys to delivering benefits for those living with kidney disease. Presentations showcased cutting-edge technologies and novel therapeutic approaches which aim to deliver real benefit to the kidney patient community.

Further themes included our approach to implementation with a focus on improving early diagnosis, care and treatment.

Throughout the two days, we had a wonderful selection of researchers who presented their latest findings, alongside an excellent selection of poster presentations, with plenty of opportunities for networking and discussions.

We were also joined by patients, who bravely shared their own personal experiences with kidney disease. Their voices served as a powerful reminder of why our research is important, highlighting how the advances presented here have the potential to directly impact their lives and further reinforcing the importance of ensuring that patient perspectives are embedded throughout the research journey

Early career forum

Thanks to those that joined the early career researcher (ECR) session at Driving Discoveries. Zoe Markham-Lee and Ben Ticker presented Kidney Research UK support available to researchers including grant opportunities, clinical study groups and renal networks as well as the ECR programme.

We were also joined by Dr Louise Oni and Professor Richard Coward who highlighted the results of the UKRI report Clinical Researchers in the UK: Reversing the Decline, and the support available for new researchers through mentoring opportunities such as the Future Academic Nephrology Club.

People networking at the event. The image focuses on two females talking to each other while holding coffee cups.

Networking opportunities at the conference

Prize winners

This year we had two winners for the best oral presentation prize: Dr Daniyal Jafree, from University College London, for his work looking at how lymphatic vessels in kidney transplants change when the transplant is rejected by the immune system and Mr Sam Tingle, a surgeon at Newcastle University, for his research using special ultrasound scans to check the health of donated kidneys.

The best poster prize went to Jack Fairbank, CEO of Hylid Diagnostics, for his work on his work on potassium home monitoring for kidney disease.

Reflections

"This year marked our biggest conference yet—a true testament to how far we have come together. It is always inspiring to reflect on the incredible progress we have made, and even more exciting to hear about the groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of kidney disease research.

"The connections we build and the knowledge we share here continue to drive our mission: to improve the lives of kidney patients and advance the vital research that makes it possible. Thank you to all delegates who contributed to its success, we hope to see you again at Driving Discoveries 2026!" Elaine Davies, Director of research operations at Kidney Research UK.

Thoughts on the two days from Mae Law, Public and patient involvement manager at Kidney Research UK: "It was so great to attend Driving Discoveries again this year to represent the patient involvement team and to take a group of patients with us to experience the conference and hear about all the amazing research currently underway.

"My highlight of the conference was seeing how many of our presenters referenced the input and involvement that patients had had in their work, this is growing year on year, so it is great to see so many thanks going out to patients for their time."