Dr. Marcello Tonelli is a distinguished nephrologist and professor at the University of Calgary, recognized globally for his leadership in kidney research and clinical care. He serves as President of the International Society of Nephrology (2023-2025) and previously held senior leadership roles as Senior Associate Dean (Clinical Research) and Associate Vice President (Health Research) at the Cumming School of Medicine until 2024. Dr. Tonelli earned his MD from the University of Western Ontario in 1995, followed by an SM in Clinical Epidemiology from Harvard University in 2002 and an MSc in Health Policy from Imperial College London in 2014. His academic journey includes twelve years at the University of Alberta's Department of Medicine before joining the University of Calgary in 2014, establishing himself as a prominent figure bridging clinical medicine with health policy research.
Dr. Tonelli's research program focuses on improving care for individuals with chronic kidney disease and other noncommunicable chronic conditions, resulting in over 600 peer-reviewed publications with a Web of Science H-index of 116. His work has earned him consistent recognition as a 'Highly Cited' researcher since 2015, placing him in the top 0.1% of researchers worldwide by citations. His impactful contributions include leadership of the KDIGO Executive Committee and Methods Committee, shaping international clinical practice guidelines that have transformed nephrology care globally. His 2013-2014 volunteership at the World Health Organization focused on treating noncommunicable diseases following natural disasters and civil conflicts, demonstrating his commitment to addressing kidney health challenges in resource-limited settings.
Beyond his research, Dr. Tonelli has received numerous prestigious honors including election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2023, membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 2014, and fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2012. He was awarded the 2013 United States National Kidney Foundation Medal for Distinguished Service and the Kidney Foundation of Canada's Medal for Research Excellence for changing nephrology practice in Canada and beyond. Dr. Tonelli serves as Director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Kidney Disease and co-founded the International Society of Nephrology's Scientific Writing Course for junior scientists in low- and middle-income countries. His enduring commitment to global health is evidenced by his ongoing volunteer work at a rural East African hospital since 2005 and leadership in a joint initiative with the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara to prevent kidney failure in underserved communities of Jalisco, Mexico.
