Juan Pablo Arroyo, MD, PhD, instructor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and Andrew Terker, MD, PhD, research fellow in Nephrology, each received an inaugural 2022 Emerging Generation Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation.
The award recognizes excellence in post-MD, pre-faculty appointment physician-scientists engaged in immersive research.
“We are not only excited but also very proud of Dr. Arroyo’s and Dr. Terker’s recognition as emerging physician scientists who are dedicated to an academic career in nephrology,” said T. Alp Ikizler, MD, chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. “They are perfect examples of the unparalleled talent and potential of our junior faculty and fellows at Vanderbilt and will undoubtedly excel in their future careers.”
Arroyo earned his Doctor of Medicine from Universidad de la Salle. He later earned a PhD in renal physiology with a focus on how salt impacts blood pressure. Upon completing his PhD, Arroyo moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where he completed an intern year in general surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, as well as a two-year postdoctoral focusing on the molecular mechanisms of renal salt reabsorption. At Vanderbilt, Arroyo completed internal medicine and nephrology training as part of the physician-scientist training program. He was recently awarded the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health — to study alternative functions of vasopressin.
“I’m honored to have gotten this award, although it is truly a team effort,” Arroyo said. “Without the support I’ve gotten from my mentors and close collaborators, including Dr. Terker, I would never have gotten where I am today. I’m very thankful for all their help, insight and guidance.”
Terker completed his medical school training and graduate work at Oregon Health and Science University, where he studied distal nephron regulation of sodium and potassium transport. After arriving to Vanderbilt in 2017, he completed his internal medicine residency, and he currently works in the laboratory of Raymond Harris, MD, Ann and Roscoe R. Robinson Professor of Nephrology, to better understand the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic kidney disease.
“It’s nice to receive this recognition,” Terker said. “I’ve been fortunate to have trained at great institutions with incredible mentors and colleagues. I hope it signals the beginning of a long career where I am not only able to do great science, but also train the next generation of physician-scientists.”
