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Matthew A. Sparks

Associate Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Nephrology
DUMC Box 2747, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC Box 2747, 2424 Erwin Rd, Hock Nephrology Suite 605, Durham, NC 27705

Overview


I serve as the Program Director for the Nephrology Fellowship Program, where my primary goal is to support each fellow in building a successful and fulfilling career—whether in clinical practice, research, education, or advocacy. I am also the lead for the Society for Early Education Scholars (SEEDS) within the Department of Medicine. SEEDS is a year-long, mentored education program designed for fellows pursuing careers as clinician educators or education scholars.

My passion lies in advancing medical education, particularly in nephrology. I am the co-founder and advisory board member of the AJKD Blog, the first nephrology blog affiliated with a major journal—the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. I co-created NephMadness, a widely recognized and innovative educational initiative. I previously served as deputy editor of the Renal Fellow Network, where I remain actively involved as faculty lead.

I am also a member of the Board of Directors of NephJC, a nonprofit organization that champions free, open-access medical education in nephrology. Nationally, I serve on the Nephrology Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, past chair of the Scientific and Clinical Education Lifelong Learning Committee of the American Heart Association’s Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease Council, and am a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), American Heart Association (AHA), and National Kidney Foundation (NKF). I serve as advisory board member and associate director of NephSIM Nephrons virtual mentorship program for trainees interested in nephrology. 

Additionally, I serve as the Director of Communication for the ASN Portfolio of Journals, including JASN, CJASN, and Kidney360.

Past Research

  • Hypertension and Kidney Hemodynamics: My past research delved into the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation, focusing on the renin-angiotensin system and prostanoid pathways. Utilizing genetically modified mouse models, you investigate how alterations in renal microcirculation influence sodium excretion and blood pressure, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for hypertension.

  • SGLT2 Inhibitors and Kidney Disease: I have contributed to understanding the pathophysiology of kidney diseases and the mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, highlighting their role in managing chronic kidney disease and associated cardiovascular risk.

Clinical Expertise
  • My clinical interests are glomerular diseases- particularly IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, C3 glomerulopathy, and lupus nephritis.

  • I also have expertise in genetic kidney diseases, ADPKD, quality improvement in outpatient nephrology, and CKRT in the ICU.

  • I serve as the director of the Duke Nephrology Fellow Clinic

  • Excellence in Education Award, Duke Department of Medicine, 2016
  • Young Physician-Scientist Award, American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), 2017
  • Midcareer Distinguished Educator Award, American Society of Nephrology (ASN), 2022

Connect with me on BlueSky: @NephroSparks

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine

In the News


Published August 3, 2015
Top five myths about human kidneys

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Recent Publications


Fibroblast growth factor 23 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 promote cardiac metabolic remodeling in chronic kidney disease.

Journal Article Kidney Int · May 2025 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health epidemic that greatly increases mortality due to cardiovascular disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important mechanism of cardiac injury in CKD. High serum levels of fibroblast growth factor (F ... Full text Link to item Cite

Post-transplant Thrombotic Microangiopathy.

Journal Article J Am Soc Nephrol · May 1, 2025 Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a challenging and serious complication of kidney transplantation that significantly affects graft and patient survival, occurring in 0.8%-15% of transplant recipients. TMA is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic a ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


U2C/TL1 NC KUH TRIO Networking Development Core

ResearchCo-Core Leader · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2023 - 2028

The Paired Undergraduate Mentoring Program (PUMP) in Uronephrology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEEducation Director · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

Duke Training Grant in Nephrology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1995 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine · 2003 M.D.