Manuel Martínez Maldonado
Encyclopedia
Dr. Manuel Martínez Maldonado (born: 1937), MD; MACP, is a Nephrologist, educator, poet and author. He discovered a natriuretic hormone and has authored numerous scientific publications. His research interests are the regulation of blood pressure and the effect of high blood pressure on the kidneys. He also focuses on the renin angiotensin system, a hormone system that helps regulate long-term blood pressure and blood volume in the body and which is controlled primarily by the kidneys. He is the executive vice president for research at the University of Louisville
.
, was an only child. There he received his primary and secondary education. After graduating from high school, he applied and was accepted at the University of Puerto Rico
where he was to major in literature. In his sophomore year, Martínez Maldonado decided that he would like to study medicine instead of literature. He was accepted at Temple University School of Medicine
(TUSM), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
where he earned his Medical Degree. He completed his postdoctoral study on renal and electrolyte metabolism at the University of Texas.
Martínez Maldonado became interested in the field of nephrology
and applied for entrance in many of the institutions dedicated to that field in the United States. He was accepted by the Dallas Nephrology Division, where he would carry out many of his experiments. Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine
and pediatrics
dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.
In 1968, Martínez Maldonado joined the Nephrology Department at Baylor University
as an assistant professor. He later became a full professor and during his time at Baylor College of Medicine
he published 39 original investigations in various journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Journal of Physiology.
Poetry
Novel
In 1973, he returned to Puerto Rico as Professor of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico and Chief of Medical Services at the San Juan Veterans Hospital. In 1991, he was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigations. In 2000, Martínez Maldonado was named president and dean of the Ponce School of Medicine and, in 2006, he was selected as the executive vice president for research at the University of Louisville
.
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
.
Early years
Martínez Maldonado, born in the southern town of Yauco, Puerto RicoYauco, Puerto Rico
Yauco is a city and municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island by the Caribbean, south of Maricao, Lares and Adjuntas; east of Sabana Grande and Guánica; and west of Guayanilla. Yauco is spread over 20 wards and Yauco Pueblo...
, was an only child. There he received his primary and secondary education. After graduating from high school, he applied and was accepted at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
where he was to major in literature. In his sophomore year, Martínez Maldonado decided that he would like to study medicine instead of literature. He was accepted at Temple University School of Medicine
Temple University School of Medicine
The Temple University School of Medicine , located on the Health Science Campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, is one of 7 schools of medicine in Pennsylvania conferring the doctor of medicine degree. It also confers the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in biomedical sciences.The 2011 U.S...
(TUSM), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
where he earned his Medical Degree. He completed his postdoctoral study on renal and electrolyte metabolism at the University of Texas.
Martínez Maldonado became interested in the field of nephrology
Nephrology
Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.-Scope of the specialty:...
and applied for entrance in many of the institutions dedicated to that field in the United States. He was accepted by the Dallas Nephrology Division, where he would carry out many of his experiments. Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
and pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.
Scientific investigations
Martínez Maldonado invented a machine which could measure the osmolality of samples of proximal tubar fluids. With his invention a sample of urine is placed next to liquid nitrogen so that the sample will freeze. The sample then takes the form of a crystal. The decreasing temperature of the crystal is converted into osmolality. He discovered a natriuretic hormone which may be the cause of many deseases. His team of scientists worked on various investigations involving the "new" hormone. Among the investigations made was one which covered the interrelationship between the hormone and cigar smoke on the proximal tubular function.In 1968, Martínez Maldonado joined the Nephrology Department at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
as an assistant professor. He later became a full professor and during his time at Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and leading center for biomedical research and clinical care...
he published 39 original investigations in various journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Journal of Physiology.
Written works
Martínez Maldonado, who is married with four children, published four books of poetry and one novel.Poetry
- "La voz sostenida" (1984)
- "Palm Beach Blues" (1986)
- "Por amor al arte" (1989)
- "Hotel María" (1999)
Novel
- "Isla Verde" (El Chevy Azul)
Legacy
Martínez Maldonado was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigations. He was a member of the Association of American Physicians and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He was also the president of the American Board of Internal Medicine.In 1973, he returned to Puerto Rico as Professor of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico and Chief of Medical Services at the San Juan Veterans Hospital. In 1991, he was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigations. In 2000, Martínez Maldonado was named president and dean of the Ponce School of Medicine and, in 2006, he was selected as the executive vice president for research at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
.
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican scientists and inventors