Barbara Ballermann is internationally recognized for the quality of her discovery research in endothelial biology in kidney disease. A nephrologist by training, she has made important discoveries toward reducin the human costs of this disease. She has taken on important leadership roles at the academic division and departmental levels at the University of Alberta and has been an advocate for research and for the career development of her faculty members. She was president of the Canadian Society of Nephrology and volunteers her expertise to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.