Manuel Martínez Maldonado

His work has also included writing in both academic and literary contexts.

• Name — Manuel Martínez Maldonado • Birthplace — Yauco, Puerto Rico • Occupation — Nephrologist, educator, poet and author

Martínez Maldonado was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico. He received his primary education at Holy Rosary School in Yauco, St Joseph School in San Germán, and Holy Spirit School in Hato Rey. He attended Matienzo Cintron School in Santurce and J.J. Osuna School in Hato Rey for his secondary education and graduated as president of his class from University High School in 1954. After graduating from high school, he entered the University of Puerto Rico, where he initially studied chemistry and literature. He graduated magna cum laude and was accepted to Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he earned his medical degree. After a residency in internal medicine at the San Juan Veterans Administration Medical Center and University Hospital, he completed his postdoctoral studies on renal and electrolyte metabolism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Martinez Maldonado became interested in renal physiology and nephrology and was accepted as a Fellow by the Dallas Southwestern Nephrology Division, where he developed into an investigator. He then became an independent investigator at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, rising from assistant to full professor of medicine with tenure (1968–1973). Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics focused on studying the function and diseases of the kidney. Martinez Maldonado is credited with developing a technique to measure the osmolality of nanoliter samples of proximal tubular fluids. He and his colleagues at Baylor designed a clinical treatment for hypercalcemia that was used until specific medications were developed for the condition in the early 2000s. In 1973, Martínez Maldonado left his professorship at Baylor University to become Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the San Juan Veterans Administration Medical Center, and professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology, as well as Professor of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. From 2000 to 2009, he served as Executive Vice President for Research at the University of Louisville. Martínez-Maldonado has also served on various committees of the National Institutes of Health He has authored several hundred scientific publications. Martínez Maldonado has served as a Member of the National Advisory Council for Arthritis, Metabolism, Kidney, and Digestive Diseases, US Dept. of Health & Human Services and on the Board of Scientific Counselors of the Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, both at NIH. Also as a member of Member, Committee on Organ Procurement and Transplantation Policy of the Institute of Medicine, National Academies. He is also a member of the Honor Medical Society, Alpha Omega Alpha.

Martínez Maldonado is married to Nivia E. Martínez. They have four children. Manuel, a physician, David, a lawyer, Ricardo, a business man and Pablo, and engineer.

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• La voz sostenida (1984) • Palm Beach Blues (1986) • Por amor al arte (1989) * * * *

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