Rate My Professor Robert Walker

Professor Robert Walker is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine, where he holds the Mary Glendining Chair of Medicine. He previously served as Head of the Department of Medicine for 17 years until 2016 and currently directs the Kidney in Health and Disease Research Network. As a Consultant Nephrologist at the Southern District Health Board, Walker combines clinical practice with academia. His qualifications include MBChB and MD degrees from the University of Otago, along with fellowships as FRACP, FASN, and FAHA. Elected to the Council of the International Society of Nephrology from 2015 to 2021 representing Australia, New Zealand, and Polynesia, he contributes to global nephrology leadership. Walker also serves on the editorial board of the New Zealand Medical Student Journal.

Walker's research focuses on nephrology, including kidney physiology, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors, renal replacement therapy, diabetes and kidney disease, and drug handling in renal impairment. He has published over 200 academic papers, with highly cited works such as 'The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with simvastatin plus ezetimibe in patients with chronic kidney disease (Study of Heart and Renal Protection)' (The Lancet, 2011), 'Diagnosing insulin resistance in the general population' (Diabetes Care, 2001), 'KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Lipid Management in CKD' (Kidney International, 2014), and 'Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP)' (American Heart Journal, 2010). He co-developed the Chronic Kidney Disease Assessment and Management Tool for General Practice, launched nationally in 2015, aiding early detection and management in primary care. Awards include the Dunedin School of Medicine Dean's Medal for Research Excellence (2016) and a $50,000 research development investment for studies on ageing kidneys (2016). His work influences kidney disease management in New Zealand and the Pacific region through collaborations and funding from bodies like the Health Research Council.