Kymora B. Scotland

Kymora B. Scotland, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of Endourology Research and Associate Director of the Endourology Fellowship Program at UCLA Health. Dr. Scotland specializes in endourology with clinical expertise in kidney stone treatment and benign prostatic hyperplasia management at Westwood Urology in Los Angeles.

Education:

• MD from Weill Cornell Medical College (2011)
• Internship in Urology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (2013)
• Residency in Urology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (2017)
• Fellowship in Endourology at University of British Columbia (Vancouver) (2019)
• Board Certified in Urology by the American Board of Urology (2022)

Dr. Scotland's research program focuses on performing truly translational research to identify therapeutic targets that will improve current stone management and enhance quality of life for patients with stone disease. Her primary research interests include understanding kidney stone pathogenesis and the role of bacteria in this process, as well as elucidating the mechanisms underlying ureteral peristalsis and addressing the management of dysfunctional peristalsis and infection in nephrolithiasis patients with obstructing ureteral calculi. Her work bridges clinical practice with laboratory research to develop more effective treatments for urolithiasis through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Scotland's publication record demonstrates a strong translational focus across multiple aspects of endourology. Her research spans from basic science investigations of stone pathogenesis to clinical studies evaluating treatment outcomes, with particular emphasis on kidney stone disease management. Recent work includes examining metabolic syndrome's impact on stone-related quality of life, developing biomarkers for stent-related inflammation, exploring bacterial interactions with ureteral stents, and applying artificial intelligence to kidney segmentation in CT imaging. Her collaborative approach is evident through numerous multi-institutional studies addressing various aspects of stone disease management and endoscopic procedures across international settings.

Scientific Awards:

• AUA Western Section's Young Urologist of the Year for 2022

As Director of Endourology Research, Dr. Scotland leads a comprehensive research program focused on translational approaches to improve stone disease management. Her research initiatives include investigations into stone pathogenesis mechanisms, ureteral physiology, and technological innovations in endourological procedures. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the text, her active research program and multi-institutional collaborations across multiple publications indicate successful funding to support her translational research initiatives. Her work with international collaborators suggests participation in global research networks addressing urological conditions.

Dr. Scotland leads the Endourology Research program and serves as Associate Director of the Endourology Fellowship Program at UCLA. Her research team employs multidisciplinary approaches, collaborating with experts in microbiology, engineering, and imaging to develop innovative solutions for stone disease management. The program focuses on bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications through laboratory investigations and clinical trials to improve patient outcomes in endourology. Her work with international collaborators extends the impact of her research beyond the UCLA Health system to address global urological challenges.