Spotlight: Nazy Zomorodian, Clinical Advisory Board

Nazy Zomorodian, RNC, MSN, CUNP, CCRC, is the Director of the Clinical Trials Program at the Institute of Urologic Oncology and a Urology Nurse Practitioner at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, as well as an associate Professor in the School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, California.

What motivated you to get involved with the Kidney Cancer Association?

We are heavily defined by our childhoods, and the environment we grow up in shapes us into the adults that we will become. Earlier on in my childhood, a tragic moment defined what my life would be like growing up and, although it breaks my heart that it happened, I learned so much and it got me to where I am today. When I was only nine years old my father suffered a fatal heart attack. One day he was there, and the next he wasn’t, just like that. It was devastatingly sudden and unexpected, and it changed the entire course of my life in an instant. My mother was left alone with the task of raising her children before her, and she took on that daunting mission with unabashed confidence. My mother worked as a nurse, working long hours to provide for her children. Yet, despite her frequent absence we knew that she was doing great work, and I grew up always being very proud of my mother. Her spirit influenced me heavily and her work appeared to me as one of the most altruistic and heroic duties any person could devote their life to. My mom will never cease to be a massive inspiration to me, and I give her all the credit for my current position in life. Being part of the group, which provides information and education for patients with kidney cancer is an amazing job and I am honored to be part of it.

How is kidney cancer part of your work?

I started working at UCLA, Department of Urology 25 years ago. As the Director of GU Clinical Trials Program, I saw the new and upcoming drugs and how they changed patient’s life, especially in kidney cancer. Working with icons like Arie Belldegrun, MD, Chris Wood, MD and W. Marston Linehan, MD (old days of IL2) and now with the new class of pioneers to help unfold the next 20 years of Research and development of kidney cancer treatments.

What is the most meaningful part of your job?

My ultimate goal in life would be to be part of the team who will find a cure for cancer.  If this was the culmination of all of my works, my countless hours of research and study, I will have lived a meaningful and satisfying life.   Even if I am unable to personally achieve this holy grail of accomplishments, I will still be proud to have contributed to cancer treatment via research efforts in some way.  I want what I do to benefit society, and what I have set out to do with the help of this goal can be achieved.  I am prepared to work tirelessly in my field, having the most significant impact I can have on the greater population.

What are you excited to bring to the KCA?

Hopefully, as I learn from all the esteemed members I will be able to bring my experience from the bench to the bed side.

What is your favorite travel destination?

The places I haven’t been before: anywhere in Latin America, Brazil, Portugal…. Anywhere on the world map!!!

What do you like to do in your free time?

Playing tennis, walking my beautiful 4 year old sheltie, and I am binge watcher ….. you give me a recommendation on a show then I will be on a mission, I also still enjoy reading paperback books.