Profile

A physician–scientist working at the intersection of the clinic and the laboratory.

Delivering glomerular disease clinics and in-patient nephrology care, as well as translational programmes in IgA nephropathy that span spatial omics, clinical AI, and clinical trials.

Portrait of Dr. Haresh Selvaskandan
Dr. Haresh Selvaskandan Physician–Scientist
“Translating mechanism into medicine — from the glomerulus to the trial protocol, and back to the patient.”
IgA nephropathy IgA vasculitis Glomerular diseases Clinical trial design Precision medicine Spatial transcriptomics Bioinformatics AI / Machine learning Acute kidney injury Patient-driven research Medical education Postgraduate teaching MRCP examination writing Mentorship & supervision Quality improvement Service improvement Clinical leadership Trainee development

Dr. Haresh Selvaskandan is an NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Nephrology at the University of Leicester, an ERA Clinical Trials Fellow at the University of Oxford, and a Higher Specialist Trainee in Nephrology — combining frontline kidney medicine with a translational research programme in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

His work spans clinical trials, fundamental science, and clinical AI. He delivers academic and industry-partnered programmes, and has groundings in applying omics to glomerular disease through his PhD. He has supported the development of machine-learning tools for acute kidney injury and large-language-model assistants for patient-facing nephrology care.

He serves on the Royal College of Physicians MRCP examination writing group, and has leadership roles in international and national committees with a kidney focus. He has secured over £700,000 as Principal Investigator and contributed to programmes totalling more than £10M as collaborator. He has authored 80+ peer-reviewed outputs.

Outside of medicine, Haresh enjoys kayaking, and philosophy. He was selected as a 2012 London Olympic Torch bearer.

Appointments & Qualifications

A trajectory built across the UK’s leading centres of clinical academic medicine.

Current Appointments

2024
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer (Nephrology)University of Leicester
2024
European Renal Association — Clinical Trials FellowUniversity of Oxford
2018
Higher Specialist Trainee, NephrologyUniversity Hospitals of Leicester
2024
Member, MRCP Examination Writing GroupRoyal College of Physicians, UK
2023
Executive CommitteeUK Kidney MedTech Network
2022
Leadership rolesGlomCon — Clinical Trial Consortium
2022
Executive CommitteeUK Kidney Lab Science Network
2021
Executive CommitteeUK Renal Registrar Forum
2021
Data Release CommitteeJohnWalls Renal Research Database

Qualifications

2026
MSc, Clinical TrialsUniversity of Oxford  ·  in progress
2024
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Leicester  ·  Spatial transcriptomics in IgAN
2020
European Speciality Examination in NephrologyEuropean Renal Association
2016
Membership, Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK)Royal College of Physicians
2016
MRes Research Methods (Distinction)University of Leicester
2015
PG Certificate, Medical LeadershipSwansea University
2014
PG Certificate, Medical EducationCardiff University
2013
MBChB (Honours)University of Leicester
2011
BSc (First Class, Honours)University of Leicester
Career History

Previous clinical & research roles.

Clinical

2020–21
GlomCon Glomerular Diseases Fellow

Management of complex glomerular diseases and vasculitis with renal involvement.

GlomCon, Virtual Fellowship
2015–18
Core Medical Trainee

Cardiology, stroke medicine, rheumatology, acute medicine, nephrology.

University Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2013–15
Academic Foundation Programme Doctor

Paediatrics, general surgery, respiratory medicine, nephrology, acute medicine.

University Hospitals of Leicester, UK

Research

2019–23
KRUK Research Fellow (PhD)

Precision medicine in IgAN, spatial transcriptomics, bioinformatics.

University of Leicester
2015–18
NIHR Academic Fellow (MRes)

IgAN therapies, microdissection, medical statistics, cell culture.

University of Leicester
2010–11
Intercalated Science Year (BSc)

Inflammation, laser microdissection, PCR.

University of Leicester
Research Experience

Methodological depth across spatial omics, clinical trials, and applied AI.

2024 →
NIHR Clinical Lecturer of NephrologyMayer IgA Nephropathy Group · University of Leicester

Exploring reversible mechanisms of glomerular disease to identify novel targets and biomarkers. Methods: spatial transcriptomics, bioinformatics, cell–cell interaction modelling, R, Python, systematic reviews, meta-analyses.

2024 →
European Renal Association Clinical Trials FellowNuffield Department of Population Health · University of Oxford

MSc-level training centred on clinical trial design and delivery.

2022 →
Investigating Loin Pain in IgAN — Industry fundedMayer IgA Nephropathy Group · University of Leicester

Characterising loin pain and its mechanisms in IgAN. Methods: qualitative research, complement assays, kidney MRI.

2018 →
Clinical Trialist (Associate PI / Sub-Investigator)John Walls Renal Unit, Leicester  ·  Supervisor: Prof. Jonathan Barratt

Sub-investigator / Associate PI on multiple industry and consortium trials in glomerular and chronic kidney disease.

2020–24
Kidney Research UK Clinical Research Fellow (PhD)Mayer IgA Nephropathy Group · University of Leicester

Characterising endocapillary hypercellularity in IgAN. Methods: DSP, laser-capture microdissection (FFPE), NanoString nCounter, flow cytometry, IgA extraction & purification, monocyte/PBMC isolation, R, Python.

2021–22
AI in Acute Kidney Injury — NHS Digital funded (PI)University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Designing AI models to predict RRT requirement in AKI 48 hours in advance. Methods: recurrent neural networks, explainability (occlusion analysis), clinical data management.

2015–18
NIHR Academic Clinical FellowMayer IgA Nephropathy Group · University of Leicester

Macrophages as mediators of inflammation in IgAN. Methods: qPCR, cell culture, ELISAs, grant & academic writing, critical appraisal.

2010–11
Intercalated BSc (Neurosciences)University of Leicester  ·  Supervisor: Prof. Ian Forsythe

Plasticity in the auditory brainstem. Methods: qPCR, laser-capture microdissection.

Clinical Experience

From foundation training to tertiary nephrology practice.

2019 →
Higher Specialist Nephrology TraineeJohn Walls Renal Unit · University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Active management of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, transplant, dialysis, and CKD. Sub-specialist interests in glomerular disease, clinical trial delivery, kidney disease in pregnancy, and renal transplantation. Skills include native renal biopsy, plasma exchange, CVVH, and tunnelled/non-tunnelled dialysis catheter placement.

2020–21
Glomerular Diseases Fellow (Virtual)Glomerular Diseases Study and Clinical Trials Consortium

Year-long virtual fellowship focused on complex glomerular disease and renal vasculitis through theory-based lectures and virtual patient cases.

2018–19
Clinical Academic FellowJohn Walls Renal Unit · University Hospitals of Leicester
2015–18
Core Medical TraineeUniversity Hospitals of Leicester · Coronary care, stroke, rheumatology, renal
2013–15
Academic Foundation TraineeUniversity Hospitals of Leicester  ·  Kettering General Hospital
Leadership

Setting national strategy and building academic communities.

2023 →
Executive Committee — Laboratory Science for Kidney Disease Research NetworkUK Kidney Research Consortium

Sets national strategy and facilitates collaborations for laboratory-based kidney research.

2023 →
Executive Committee — UK Kidney Medical Technology Research NetworkUK Kidney Research Consortium

Sets national strategy and facilitates research in medical technology for kidney disease.

2022 →
Organiser — Biannual Renal SpR Club National MeetingRenal SpR Club · UK Kidney Association

Coordinates two-day national meetings for renal registrars to address training and career concerns at a national level.

2022 →
Data Release Committee — John Walls Renal Unit Research DatabaseUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Oversees applications for research data access from a pseudonymised clinical database.

2020 →
Executive Director, Registry Lead, and Associate Editor — GlomConThe Glomerular Disease Study and Trial Consortium

International organisation furthering research, care, and public understanding of glomerular diseases.

2019 →
Executive Committee — UK Nephrology Registrar ClubUK Kidney Association

National nephrology trainee committee supporting trainee education and career development.

2021–24
Clinical PhD Student RepresentativeDepartment of Cardiovascular Sciences · University of Leicester
2020–23
Founder & Chair, College of Life Sciences Fellows’ ForumCollege of Life Sciences · University of Leicester

Forum for externally funded fellows in the College of Life Sciences; currently on the executive committee.

2018–19
Vice Chair — Core Medical Training (CMT) CommitteeHealth Education East Midlands (HEEM)

Coordinated training needs and organised a 100+ trainee conference (excellent feedback).

2016–18
Anticoagulation Task Force — Committee MemberUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Consulted on anticoagulation practice and helped develop training modules.

2014–15
Project Lead — Enhancing QI among Junior DoctorsUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Formalised Quality Improvement teaching into the Foundation Programme Curriculum.

2013–15
Project Lead — Improving IV Fluid ManagementUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Designed an app and website to improve compliance with IV fluid guidelines.

2013–14
Coordinator — Weekend Discharge Team RotaKettering General Hospital
2010–11
Vice Coordinator — Medsin-UKNational charity (1111824)  ·  Coordinated 30+ branches across UK cities
2009–10
Leicester Lead — Kenyan Orphan ProjectRegistered charity 1118528  ·  Leicester fundraising for orphans in Kisumu, Kenya
2009–10
President, Leicester Branch — Medsin-UKOversaw a committee of 12 coordinating 10 projects on healthcare inequities
2007–10
Student Representative — Staff–Student CouncilLeicester Medical School
Audits, Service Evaluations & QI Projects

A long record of operational improvement in NHS settings.

2025
Reducing low pretest-probability ANCA testingUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2024
Improving patient access to glomerular disease researchUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2024
Improving vascular access care pathways in NephrologyUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2020
Developing virtual nephrology clinicsUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2020
Improving responses to in-patient nephrology referralsUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2017
Reducing ethnic variation in the uptake of biologic therapiesUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2016
Improving AKI management in admissions unitsUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2014
Improving VTE prophylaxis on surgical wardsKettering General Hospital, UK
2013
Improving medical record keeping in paediatricsKettering General Hospital, UK
2012
Rationalising daily blood tests on the haematology wardsNorthampton General Hospital, UK
2012
Improving cannula care on the renal wardsUniversity Hospitals of Leicester, UK
2011
Adherence to the WHO surgical checklist standardKettering General Hospital, UK
Connect

Open to academic and industry collaboration.

If you’re working on kidney disease research programmes, clinical trials, biomarker strategy, spatial omics, or clinically deployed ML/AI — I’d be glad to talk.

Mayer IgA Nephropathy Laboratories  ·  Hodgkin Building  ·  University of Leicester  ·  LE1 7RH  ·  United Kingdom