Menaka Sarav

Menaka Sarav, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Nephrology at Yale School of Medicine. She is a board-certified nephrologist and clinical informaticist with a specialized interest in renal nutrition and cardio-kidney-metabolic health. Dr. Sarav leads a multidisciplinary lifestyle and nutrition for kidney health program at Yale, focusing on slowing disease progression through dietary and lifestyle interventions.

Education and Training:

• MD, Bangalore University (2002)
• Residency in Internal Medicine, St. Francis Hospital
• Nephrology Clinical Fellowship, University of Chicago
• Research Fellowship, University of Chicago
• Clinical Nutrition Fellowship, American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and Nestlé Nutrition Institute
• Master of Management in Clinical Informatics (MMCI), Duke University School of Medicine (2024)

Research Interests:
Dr. Sarav’s research focuses on chronic kidney disease, proteinuric kidney disease, and the intersection of nutrition and renal outcomes. Her work emphasizes clinical trials and informatics tools to improve patient care. She investigates biomarkers such as serum albumin in predicting mortality in pre-dialysis CKD and explores interventions to enhance medication adherence in cardio-renal patients.

Research Trends:
Her recent publications span nephrology, clinical nutrition, and informatics. Key themes include nutritional biomarkers in CKD, peritoneal dialysis complications, and pharmacist-led interventions in cardio-diabetes care. Her research integrates clinical observation with data-driven approaches to improve outcomes in high-risk populations.

Professional Memberships and Service:

• American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
• National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
• International Society for Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM)
• American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) – Volunteer, Physician Education Committee; Co-Chair, Outreach and Engagement Subcommittee
• Volunteer, NKF Connecticut Chapter – Community outreach and kidney disease awareness

Mentorship and Community Engagement:
Dr. Sarav mentors residents, fellows, and advanced practice practitioners in nephrology and clinical informatics. She is actively involved in community education and outreach, particularly in raising awareness about kidney disease prevention and management through nutrition. She does not appear to lead a formal research lab but is deeply embedded in clinical and translational research teams at Yale.