UF pediatricians named to prestigious pediatric research society

Three University of Florida College of Medicine pediatricians have been selected for membership in the national Society for Pediatric Research.

Chosen to join are Paul Carney, M.D., chief of the division of pediatric neurology and an assistant professor of pediatrics, neurology and neuroscience; Vikas Dharnidharka, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatric nephrology; and Martha Sola-Visner, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatric neonatology. After being nominated by an existing society member, applicants are selected based on their independence in research, letters of recommendation and ability to garner external research funding.

Carney’s research focuses on seizure prediction and prevention strategies. He is part of a team developing a device that will monitor brain activity to predict when a seizure is likely to occur.

Dharnidharka is investigating diabetic renal disease, specifically the role of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in the development of kidney problems. Sola-Visner studies thrombocytopenia (a low number of platelets in the blood) in newborns.

Carney, Dharnidharka and Sola-Visner will be inducted in May at the society’s annual meeting in Seattle.