Dr Louise Oni MBChB, MRCPCH, MA, PhD

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis is the most common form of childhood vasculitis. Glomerulonephritis occurs in 30-50% of patients and it can cause long lasting renal damage, whereas other organ manifestations are mostly benign and self limiting. The long-term consequences mean it accounts for 1-2% of all end stage renal failure in the UK. There is currently no 'standard' way to monitor or grade the outcome of glomerulonephritis in this condition and this is an area that Dr. Oni is trying to achieve. Understanding the scientific origin of this disease is important in order to develop new, more targeted treatments. The disease is believed to originate from an abnormal production of immunoglobulin A (glycosylated versions) and this protein is often co-located with complement products such as C3. Dr. Oni has been investigating proteomic techniques that are capable of identifying these abnormal products and trying to link these to clinical phenotypes in children with IgAV.

In 2012, Dr. Oni completed her post doctoral degree (Child Health PhD) titled 'Renal biomarkers in juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus', where she investigated whether it was possible to predict a renal flare of this disease earlier than using standard markers in clinical practice. She established processes to facilitate recruitment and development of a biobank from various UK centres and she introduced an immortalised podocyte cell line to the University of Liverpool, through collaboration with Bristol Renal Academic Unit, for use in the laboratory. She is a current member of the UK JSLE Cohort Study and Repository and works to improve the clinical care of these patients through regular clinician led 'Renal Inflammatory Forum's' and working in partnership with patient representatives.

Dr. Oni aspires to standardise the management of childhood glomerular diseases to act as a template for a future trial.
Currently, she is co leading a workstream to harmonise management across the UK paediatric nephrology community.