Chicago, March 14: Dr. Leo Martis, Renal Research and Development Vice President at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, was recently recognized as a Distinguished Scientists by the technical leadership of Baxter. He is one of only four Baxter scientists to hold the honor.

'Baxter Distinguished Scientist' is the highest recognition in technical or scientific disciplines an individual can attain with Baxter. The title recognizes an individual for his or her scientific contributions in developing new technology platforms, new products, and/or scientific contributions in understanding and managing a particular disease for Baxter. The individual must also be recognized for his or her contributions in the international scientific community.

Dr. Leo, who joined Baxter in 1974, has led numerous key projects at Renal. He has been responsible for developing most of the solutions in PD therapeutic portfolio, including Diane PD4, Nutrient, Physionel, and Extraneal.

Dr. Leo received his B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Mysore, India in 1965, B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bombay, India in 1968, M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Washington in 1970, Seattle, USA, Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Washington, Seattle, USA in 1973 and M.B.A. in Finance and Quantitative Methods from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University, Chicago, USA. He received Board Certification in 1981 as Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology.

Dr. Leo received Baxter Corporate Technical Awards in 1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Received Research Assistantship (University of Washington Grant) in 1971-1973, Rubenstein Fellowship in 1970-71 and John B. Quick Fellowship in 1968-70.

In 1973-74 Dr. Leo was the Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle. In 1974 he joined Baxter as Senior Research Pharmacologist for Corporate Research and Development. In 1976 promoted as Manager of Pharmacology, Corporate Research and Development. In 1979 Dr. Leo was promoted to Associate Director, Department of Safety Assessment and in 1984 he became the Associate Director of Department of Life Sciences. In 1985 Dr. Leo promoted to Director, Department of Biomedical Sciences and in 1987 he became the Director of Renal Division Research. In 1993 Dr. Leo was appointed as Vice President, Renal Division Research and in 1996 he became the Vice President, Solutions Research and Development, Renal Division.

Since 1988 Dr. Leo is also working as an Adjunct Professor, Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Leo's research activities and interests are: Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism, General Pharmacology, General Toxicology, Peritoneal Dialysis, Hemodialysis and Chronic Renal Failure.

Dr. Leo Martis holds membership in American Association for Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, American College of Toxicology, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Biology, International Society of Nephrology, International Society for Pertoneal Dialysis, National Kidney Foundation, New York Academy of Sciences and Society of Toxicology. He is an editorial board member for Toxic Substance Mechanisms.

Dr. Martis is a reviewer for the Scientific Journals: Peritoneal Dialysis International, ASAIO Journal, Artificial Organs, Toxic Subsistence Mechanisms and Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.

Dr. Leo Martis has 11 U.S. Patents to his credit: Low Sodium Peritoneal Dialysis Solution (3 patents), Improved Amino Acid Solutions for Treatment of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients, Amino Acid Solutions for Treatment of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients (2 patents), Improved Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions with Polypeptides, Method of Peritoneal Dialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions, Biochemically Balanced Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions and Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions Containing Maltodextrins and Amino Acids.

Dr. Leo's credit there are 3 book chapters, 64 publications and 120 presentations and abstracts. With all these scholarly credits and leaderships, Dr. Leo is a very simple, down to earth kind of a person which attracts his personality and friendship to many whom he meet everywhere in his daily life. He wrote numerous scientific papers in Dialysis Area and get invited to give lectures at National and International Scientific meetings on dialysis.

Dr. Leo Martis hails from famous jasmine land in South India - Pangla. He was born to Mr. Gregory Martis and Mrs. Apolina D'Sa on June 3, 1945. He has four brothers and two sisters. Dr. Leo married to Jacintha Castelino from Karkala and have two sons - Sameeth and Nikhil. He is the past president of India Catholic Association of America, Chicago and is very active in community activities. Wife Jacintha too very active in community activities, who was the secretary, corresponding secretary of ICAA for several years.


Our USA correspondent, exclusively for daijidubai.com

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