“Josh exemplifies the spirit of innovation that drives University of Iowa research. His work directly improves patient care by addressing real-world problems, including reducing electronic health record alert fatigue and advancing transplant care through predictive analytics.” – Melissa Swee

Hometown: Marion, Iowa

Faculty mentor/advisor: Melissa Swee, MD, MME, clinical assistant professor of internal medicine-nephrology, Carver College of Medicine; David A. Axelrod, MD, MBA, FACS, Carver College of Medicine 

Degree program and anticipated graduation date: MD, May 2027

Josh Kettelkamp leverages machine learning to improve post-kidney transplant outcomes for patients by optimizing immunosuppressant therapy. His research uses real-world data from large networks to identify risk factors and trends that clinical trials often miss, laying the foundation for predictive models that personalize care and reduce complications. He also has a deeply personal connection to his work—his grandfather was among the first kidney transplant recipients at the University of Iowa’s hospital in 1973. While the transplant extended his grandfather's life, he passed away at age 57, before Kettelkamp was born.

“This experience has profoundly shaped my development as both a future clinician and investigator,” says Kettelkamp. “Through this project, I have built mentorship with renowned transplant surgeons and nephrologists across the country, and have gained invaluable skills in study design, data analysis, and clinical collaboration.”

Kettelkamp’s work has earned national recognition, including an NIH NIDDK T35 fellowship and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Presidential Student Mentorship Grant. His research was selected for podium presentation at the 2025 World Transplant Congress in San Francisco.

After graduation, Kettelkamp plans to pursue a surgical residency and build a career as a physician-scientist, advancing clinical research while practicing medicine in Iowa.