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Jeff Sands MD

  • Department of Medicine
    Professor Emeritus

  • 1815 Crest Oaks Place NE
Head shot of Jeff Sands

Overview

RESEARCH
Dr. Sands research focuses on the molecular physiology of urea transporters, aquaporins, and the urine concentrating mechanism, and the translation of these basic research findings into novel therapies for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Sands is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston University School of Medicine. He trained in Medicine at the University of Chicago and the NIHs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Following research fellowship training in the Laboratory of Kidney and Electrolyte Metabolism, NHLBI, NIH, he proceeded to a clinical nephrology fellowship at Emory.

Dr. Sands is a Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NephroDI Therapeutics. NephroDI Therapeutics is developing a small molecule therapeutic for congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which is a pediatric orphan disease. Dr. Sands is considered a key opinion leader in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Dr. Sands joined the Emory faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1989, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1993, and to Professor 1998. He served as the Juha P. Kokko Professor of Medicine and Renal Division Director at Emory from 2002-2024. He served as Executive Vice-Chair of Medicine from 2009-2015 and as Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research from 2006-2010. He is currently the Juha P. Kokko Professor Emeritus of Medicine at Emory.

Dr. Sands served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Physiology Renal from 2001-2007, chair of the 2004 American Society of Nephrology Program Committee, chair of the American Heart Association Kidney Council from 2008-2010, a member of the NIDDK Board of Scientific Councilors from 2008-2013, and the 91st President of the American Physiological Society from 2018-2019. He is a member of the American Association of Physicians, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the American Clinical and Climatological Association. Dr. Sands has served on study sections for the NIH, AHA, and NKF.

Dr. Sands has received several honors, including: the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Boston University School of Medicine in 2006; the Carl Gottschalk Distinguished Lecturer for the APS Renal Section in 2013; the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Heart Association in 2014; the Barry M. Brenner Endowed Lecturer for the American Society of Nephrology in 2015; the Homer W. Smith Award from the American Society of Nephrology in 2022; and the Robert W. Berliner Award for the APS Renal Section in 2025. He was awarded the Doctor Medicinae Honoris Causa (dr.med.h.c.) from Aarhus University in Denmark in 2018. He has authored over 180 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 105 invited reviews or book chapters, and has co-edited a book. Dr. Sands has given 40 invited talks at national or international scientific meetings and over 110 invited lectures at other U.S. or international universities.

Academic Appointment

  • Juha P. Kokko Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

  • MD from Boston University School of Medicine
  • BA from Harvard College

Research

Publications

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