Kristen Nowak, PhD

Associate Professor, Medicine-Renal Med Diseases/Hypertension


FacultyPhoto
Graduate Schools
  • MS, University of Colorado - Boulder (2005)
  • PhD, University of Colorado - Boulder (2011)
  • MPH, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (2016)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, Marquette University (WI) (2005)
Fellowships
  • University of Colorado, Nephrology (2014)
Department
Medicine-Renal Med Diseases/Hypertension

Professional Titles

  • Associate Professor

Recognitions

  • Rising Star, University of Colorado Department of Medicine (2020)

Research Interests

I am trained as a physiologist with an interest in lifestyle interventions to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression in patients with kidney diseases, including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). I conduct research on the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in kidney diseases, as well as on novel therapeutics to alleviate such dysfunction. I have unique expertise in identifying integrative physiological mechanisms mediating vascular dysfunction, as well as in epidemiology (Master of Public Health). I direct the clinical vascular physiology laboratory for the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension. I also became recently interested in the role of diet and metabolic dysfunction in ADPKD progression. I have a recently completed NIH R03 grant evaluating the feasibility of two weight loss interventions, daily caloric restriction and intermittent fasting, and also have an active PKD Foundation Research grant evaluating the feasibility of time restricted feeding, both in a population of adults with overweight/obesity and ADPKD. I have a recently awarded R01 for a clinical trial evaluating weight loss via daily caloric restriction to slow cyst growth in ADPKD. Additionally, I have a multi-PI R01 assessing the efficacy of inspiratory muscle strength training to lower blood pressure and improve vascular function in CKD.

Publications

  • Nowak KL, Moretti F, Bussola N, Steele CN, Gregory AV, Kline TL, Ramanathan S, Trapletti G, Furlanello C, McCormick L, Chonchol M. Visceral Adiposity and Progression of ADPKD: A Cohort Study of Patients From the TEMPO 3:4 Trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2024 Sep;84(3):275-285.e1. PubMed PMID: 38608748
  • Bjornstad P, Richard G, Choi YJ, Nowak KL, Steele C, Chonchol MB, Nadeau KJ, Vigers T, Pyle L, Tommerdahl K, van Raalte DH, Hilkin A, Driscoll L, Birznieks C, Hopp K, Wang W, Edelstein C, Nelson RG, Gregory AV, Kline TL, Blondin D, Gitomer B. Kidney Energetics and Cyst Burden in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Pilot Study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2024 Sep;84(3):286-297.e1. PubMed PMID: 38621633
  • Jovanovich A, Struemph T, You Z, Wang W, Farmer-Bailey H, Bispham N, Levi M, Schwartz GG, Nowak KL, Chonchol M. Effect of Lanthanum Carbonate on Serum Phosphate, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Dysfunction in CKD: A Mechanistic Randomized Controlled Trial. Kidney360. 2024 Jul 1;5(7):959-966. PubMed PMID: 38781013
  • Wang W, You Z, Steele CN, Gitomer B, Chonchol M, Nowak KL. Changes in tubular biomarkers with dietary intervention and metformin in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a post-hoc analysis of two clinical trials. BMC Nephrol. 2024 Jun 25;25(1):206. PubMed PMID: 38918734
  • Chebib FT, Nowak KL, Chonchol MB, Bing K, Ghanem A, Rahbari-Oskoui FF, Dahl NK, Mrug M. Polycystic Kidney Disease Diet: What is Known and What is Safe. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023 Sep 20. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37729939

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Nephrology, member
  • American Heart Association, member
  • American Physiological Society, member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Nephrology
Personal Interests
I enjoy running, hiking, biking, reading, traveling, and spending time enjoying the outdoors with my family.