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Our important role in executing clinical trials that pioneer new therapeutics is manifested through pride in our Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and having passion for the patients we serve.

Balboa Research SMO+ (formerly the California Institute of Renal Research) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Balboa Nephrology consisting of 12 Principal Investigators and 23 dedicated research staff across 6 fully equipped research sites in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

For nearly 20 years, Balboa Research SMO+ has leveraged its scope, scale, and affiliation with Balboa Nephrology to collaborate early with pharmaceutical and medical device sponsors on cutting-edge therapeutics and diagnostics.

Research Sponsor Benefits

  • Partnership with Balboa Nephrology and Nephrology Associates of Kentuckiana

  • Growing network of clinics and Principal Investigators

  • Large and diverse patient population

  • Leading-Edge, Value-Based Care nephrology practices

Nephrology Practice Benefits

  • Growing collective of research practices and Principal Investigators
  • Deep operational expertise
  • Broad sponsor relationships and study opportunities
  • Flexible business partnerships
  • Operated by Balboa Nephrology – the largest nephrology practice in California

History

  • Founded as California Institute of Renal Research in 2003 by Balboa Nephrology Providers, Dr. George Fadda, Dr. Steven Steinberg and Dr. Diego Belo
  • Nearly two decades of delivering quality GCP studies, including multiple Investigator Initiated Studies (IIS)
  • 500+ studies with nearly 100 sponsors
  • Phase 1B-4 GCP IND, IDE & PMA expertise

Infrastructure

  • 12 Principal Investigators totaling over a century of accumulated research experience
  • 25+ full-time research staff; 12 Research Coordinators with an average tenure of 8 years
  • 6 fully-equipped Research locations in San Diego & Imperial Counties

Access

  • Direct Access to over 150k+ charts in the Balboa Nephrology Medical Group EHR
    ⮕ 40k+ unique patients per year
    ⮕ 4k+ ESRD Patients
    ⮕ Vascular Access Center
  • Additional reach through Sharp & Scripps Healthcare
  • Access to both Fresenius & DaVita Dialysis Centers

Principal Investigators

George Fadda, MD

FACP

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Research Experience
Founder of Balboa Research, formerly California Institute of renal Research (Balboa Research).  26 years experience in basic and clinical research. As a Principal Investigator, he has participated in more than 95 phase 2-4 studies. 

Publications
More than 50 Articles in Nephrology Journals

Research Expertise
All aspects of Kidney disease: Acute renal failure and Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 2-5, ESRD, Type 2 DM, PCKD, FSGS, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, IgA Nephropathy, Hyperparathyroidism, Anemia, Iron, Proteinuria, etc.

Training
• MD – American University Beirut
• Fellowship – University of Southern California
• Assistant Professor of Medicine / Nephrology University of Southern California

Jill Meyer, MD

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Research Experience
20 years

Research Expertise
drug device and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, pruritis, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease

Training
• MD – American University
• Residency – Hennepin County Medical Center
• Fellowship – Emory University

Adam Horeish, MD

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Research Experience
4 years

Research Expertise
drug, device, and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease

Training
• MD – Ross University School of Medicine
• Residency – Western Reserve Care System
• Fellowship – University of Vermont

Arman Faravardeh, MD

FACP, FASN, FAST

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Research Experience
10 years

Publications, Lectures & Presentations
over 35

Research Expertise
Kidney transplantation including delayed graft function, CMV disease, BK virus, COVID vaccine, APOL1, Belatacept trial, chronic antibody mediated rejection, donor derived cell free DNA assay

Training
• MD – Medical College of Wisconsin
• Residency – Medical College of Wisconsin
• Nephrology Fellowship – University of Minnesota
• Transplant Nephrology Fellowship – UCLA

Ramin Berenji, MD

FASN, FACP and EVP, Balboa Research

Read Bio Here

Research Experience
10 years

Publications
9 articles/abstracts

Research Expertise
drug, device and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, cad, DMII, AKI, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, pruritis, FSGS, ADPKD, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit d def, hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease

Training
• MD – University of Hamburg school of medicine
• Residency – Good Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins
• Fellowship – Stanford University

Osman Khawar, MD

MPH

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Research Experience
10 years

Publications
15 Articles & 10 Posters

Research Expertise:
drug, device, diagnostics and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, vascular access, home HD, PD, CAD, pruritis, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism

Training
• MD – Glasgow university
• Master’s of Public Health – John Hopkins School of Public health
• Residency – St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach
• Fellowship – Harbor-UCLA

Joseph Hebreo, MD

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Research Experience
4 years

Publications
2

Research Expertise
drug, device, and diagnostics; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, vascular access, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism

Training
• 
MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Residency – Naval Medical Center, San Diego
• Fellowship – Walter Reed Army Medical Center/National Naval Medical Center

Dylan Steer, MD

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Research Experience
15 years

Research Expertise
drug, device, diagnostics, and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, pruritis, hypercholesterolemia, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism

Training
• MD – Duke University
• Residency – Duke University
• Fellowship – University of California San Diego.

Mark Boiskin, MD

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Research Experience:
18 years

Research Expertise
drug, device, diagnostics, and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, pruritis, anemia, hyperparathyroidism, dialysis access

Training
• MD – Stellenbosch medical school (south Africa)
•Residency – University of Alberta
•Fellowship – University of California, San Diego

Marquis Hart, MD

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Dr. Marquis Hart joined Balboa Nephrology Medical Group in 2020. He is a board-certified surgeon with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He is a specialist in transplant, hepatobiliary and general surgery.

Dr. Hart received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stanford University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. After finishing his surgical residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, he completed his fellowship training in general surgery and liver transplantation at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center. In 1993, Dr. Hart established the liver transplant program at the University of California San Diego and served as the director of the abdominal transplant programs. Dr. Hart developed the liver transplant program at Swedish Medical Center and served as the director of transplant programs until 2019.

Dr. Hart is committed to helping his patients return to living healthy, productive lives. In his spare time he enjoys photography and spending time with his three beautiful daughters and two grandchildren.

Fharak Maa Chip, MD

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Dr. Maa joined Balboa Nephrology Medical Group in 2014. He practices in the National City area; specializing in kidney diseases which includes hemodialysis patients at both FMC and DaVita Dialysis units.

Dr. Maa attended medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Mexicali where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree. After completing his residency at Alameda County Medical Center, he completed his Nephrology fellowship at UCLA Harbor Medical Center.

Boutros Nasri El-Haddad, MD

Contact Us

George Nilsson, Clinical Research Director

Email: gnilsson@balboaunited.org

Phone: (858) 810-8072

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