Kartik Motwani, BS

Kartik attended West Virginia University to study Chemistry graduating with BS degree in 2015, then completed preclinical medical studies at the University of Florida prior to starting graduate studies as a MD-PhD candidate in the cerebrovascular research lab of UF Department of Neurosurgery Chair, Dr. Brian Hoh, MD. In 2022, Kartik transferred to Dr. Todd Brusko laboratory to study immune functions in Type 1 Diabetes.

Kartik became interested initially in brain aneurysm research because of his medical school exposure to immunology and vasculature, inspired by the work of his first graduate mentor Dr. Brian Hoh, who is dedicated to improving the care and treatment of patients with brain aneurysms. To pursue this work, Kartik was awarded foundation awards as co-investigator from The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Kartik additionally served as Executive Director of the UF Equal Access Clinic Network, a student-led free clinic at the University of Florida, from 2019-2021, compelling his interests in equitable care and ongoing clinical quality improvement. During this tenure, he helped to secure and continue funding support for clinical operations from the UF Medical Guild, Chapman Foundation, Childrens’ Trust of Alachua County, and Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. 

Kartik’s current work is focused on studying the susceptibility gene variants and aberrant extrinsic growth, survival, and differentiation factors lead to a loss of T cell tolerance in the context of T1D to determine the phenotypic and functional impact of genetic risk variants and age-associated growth factors on regulatory and effector T cell function.

Funding and Awards

Brain Aneurysm Foundation Awards. Neutrophil Infiltration in Coiled Aneurysm Healing (2019-2021)

  • Warrior Challenge Chair of Research $15,000
  • James T. Wintz, Jr. Chair of Research $10,000
  • Fight Like Frank Chair of Research $5,000

Patient Services Expansion at UF Equal Access Clinic Network. Funding: UF Foundation via FL Assoc of Free and Charitable Clinics (06/01/2020 – 10/31/ 2021)

Equal Access Clinic Network Pediatric Expansion Program. Funding: Childrens Trust Of Alachua County. (02/01/2019-09/30/2021)

Brain Aneurysm Foundation Awards. Osteopontin-mediated Cerebral Aneurysm Healing: Th2 Cell Activation. (09/01/2018-09/30/2019)

  • Thomas Tinlin Chair of Research $10,000
  • Sharon Epperson Chair of Research $15,000
  • Sam’s Spirit Chair of Research $10,000

Publications