Leaders with University of Iowa Health Care have appointed Nitin Karandikar, M.D., Ph.D., as the new head of the Department of Pathology at the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. Karandikar will also hold the Dr. Richard G. Lynch Chair in Experimental Pathology.

Karandikar will join the UI from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he currently is the Vernie A. Stembridge, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Pathology, professor and vice chair of pathology, and professor of neurology and immunology. His appointment will be effective March 29, 2013, pending approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Karandikar will replace Barry DeYoung, who has served as interim department head since January 2012. DeYoung will continue as interim head until Karandikar’s arrival, at which time he will return to his previous roles within the department.

"We are delighted that Dr. Karandikar has accepted the position as head of pathology. His leadership style embraces the integrated approach to medical education and clinical care that we value so highly here at the UI," says Debra Schwinn, dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine. "Dr. Karandikar is a nationally known researcher and educator with a proven track record of drawing together clinical practice, interdisciplinary research, and medical training to advance patient-focused care and develop the next generation of leaders in biomedicine. His skills, passion, and dedication make him an ideal choice to lead the department."

Schwinn also expressed her thanks for DeYoung's tenure as interim department head.

"We thank Dr. Barry DeYoung for serving as the interim head of the department since January 2012. He played an integral role in the successful recruitment of Dr. Karandikar, and provided excellent leadership for the department," she says.

Karandikar is nationally known for his research into immune interactions that underlie disease progression and regulation of immune-mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis. His research is supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Karandikar also expressed his enthusiasm about this move.

"I am very excited about the opportunity of joining this world-class institution as head of pathology and collaborating with its illustrious leaders," he says. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in pathology to further its excellence at the crossroads of clinical diagnostics, disease-based research, and fundamental biomedical education."

Karandikar is board certified in clinical pathology and hematology by the American Board of Pathology and is a member of many national professional groups, including the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the American Association of Immunology. Karandikar has been honored for his teaching and has been a lecturer and visiting professor in the U.S. and Europe. He is primary or co-author on more than 100 publications and is a member of two editorial boards, including Frontiers of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology.

He received a medical degree from B.J. Medical College, University of Poona, India, where he also completed a residency. He received a doctoral degree in immunology and molecular pathogenesis from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, followed by residency and fellowship training at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.