Karl D. Nolph (USA)

Dr. Karl D. Nolph was a pioneering American nephrologist whose work fundamentally shaped peritoneal dialysis (PD). As a professor at the University of Missouri, he co-developed Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) in the late 1970s, providing patients with end-stage renal disease greater autonomy and flexibility. He conducted seminal studies on peritoneal membrane physiology, including solute and water transport, ultrafiltration, and concepts like “sodium sieving,” which informed more effective PD protocols. Nolph also helped establish the NIH-sponsored CAPD Registry, organized national and international PD conferences—including the National CAPD Conference that evolved into the Annual Dialysis Conference—and authored and edited foundational textbooks such as Peritoneal Dialysis and The Textbook of Peritoneal Dialysis. With over 600 publications and extensive editorial and leadership roles, he educated generations of nephrologists and helped make CAPD a practical, globally adopted therapy. His legacy is honoured through the Karl D. Nolph Lifetime Achievement Award in Peritoneal Dialysis.