Vito M. Campese, M.D. is Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Co-Director of the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, and a former chair of the Division of Nephrology at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California (LAC-USC) Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. A native of Bari, Italy, he received his medical degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Bari where he also completed his internship, residency and fellowship in nephrology before moving to the USA.

Dr. Campese is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Diplomate of the American Board of Nephrology, and a specialist on hypertension. He is also a member of the American Society of Nephrology, the American Society of Hypertension, the International Society of Nephrology and the International Society of Hypertension.

His research interests include such topics as salt sensitivity in hypertension, hypertension and renal failure, cytokines and the neurogenic control of blood pressure, and the role of the sympathetic nervous system in primary hypertension and hypertension associated with kidney disease. He is co-Chairman of an International Committee studying the causes of Mesoamerican nephropathy. He has been a member of the Institute of Health (NIH) Study Section, “Hypertension and Microcirculation.” Dr. Campese has authored over 320 scientific articles, and lectured, extensively, worldwide. He serves on the editorial board of such journals as the  Journal of Hypertension, Journal of Nephrology, and Clinical Nephrology

Vito Campese founded ISSNAF in 2007 and has been its President and Chair of the Board of Directors until November 2019. He is currently chair of the Honorary Board of Directors.

He is a Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy in recognition of his work on preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with the USA and Italy.