WCSCourses/KidneyGen_Africa_2026

Genetic Epidemiology of Kidney Disease in African Populations # Genetic Epidemiology of Kidney Disease in African Populations ### 25th - 30th January 2026, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Course Run Website Course Time Table 2026 Course Informatics Guide ### Summary Kidney disease is a major and growing health challenge across Africa, yet African populations remain vastly underrepresented in genetic studies of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Harnessing Africa’s unparalleled genomic diversity to understand kidney disease risk and improve patient outcomesrequires both cutting-edge science and a new generation of African leaders in kidney genomics. **This inaugural KidneyGenAfrica short course, delivered in partnership with Wellcome Connecting Science**, will bring together postgraduate and early-career researchers from across the continent to strengthen knowledge, practical skills, and collaborative networks in the genetic epidemiology of kidney disease. Over five intensive days at the University of the Witwatersrand, participants will explore CKD phenotypes in African populations, critically appraise genetic contributors such as APOL1, and gain hands-on experience with genome-wide association studies, polygenic risk scores, and emerging multi-omics approaches. Through expert-led seminars, interactive discussions, and practical data analysis sessions, the course will also provide a platform to examine ethical and community considerations in African genomics, share research across diverse contexts, and develop project proposals. **Participants will leave with new technical skills, strengthened professional networks, and a deeper understanding of how to drive equitable kidney genomics research across Africa.** ### Target Audience Postgraduate students, early- to mid-career investigators, and clinician-scientists in medical or allied medical disciplines who are involved in kidney disease research in African ancestry populations. ### Learning outcomes By the end of the course, participants will b …