Vasquez Named Interim Chief of Nephrology

Miguel Vasquez, M.D., a Professor and Clinical Chief of Nephrology, has been named Interim Chief of the Division of Nephrology, replacing Samir M. Parikh, M.D., who stepped down after five years to become Department Chair.

Originally from Madrid and raised in Puerto Rico, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey and his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan. He completed residency training in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology at UT Southwestern, before joining the faculty in 1992.

His clinical work focuses on the management of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease, as well as the care of kidney transplant recipients. He is involved in national efforts to promote early identification of kidney disease through the National Kidney Disease Education Program.

Dr. Vazquez’s research centers on improving outcomes for patients with kidney disease through large, pragmatic clinical trials. He is Principal Investigator of a multicenter NIH Collaboratory study aimed at improving care for patients with coexisting chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension. His work also examines strategies to improve blood pressure control to reduce cognitive decline, and he is an active investigator in the Kidney Precision Medicine Project. Additional research interests include kidney transplantation and vascular access for hemodialysis.

In his interim role, Dr. Vazquez will oversee the division’s clinical, research, and educational programs while maintaining a focus on patient-centered care and evidence-based approaches to improving kidney health.