MEHTAP AKBALIK KARA

Mehtap Akbalik Kara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. Her academic career spans over two decades with prior appointments at Ondokuz Mayis University, Diyarbakir Child Diseases Hospital, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, and Siirt Kurtalan State Hospital.

Her educational background includes:

• Medical Specialization in Child Health and Diseases (2014-2017) from Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine
• Medical Specialization in Pediatric Health and Diseases (2001-2006) from Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine
• Licence in Medicine (1994-1998) from Dicle University Faculty of Medicine
• Licence in Medicine (1992-1995) from Firat University Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Akbalik Kara's primary research focus is Pediatric Nephrology, with specific expertise in chronic kidney disease management, peritoneal dialysis techniques, glomerular pathologies, childhood hypertension, and autoimmune renal disorders. Her work frequently addresses healthcare disparities in vulnerable populations including Syrian refugees, and examines disaster response systems as demonstrated in her research on pediatric kidney care following the 2023 Türkiye earthquake. She employs both clinical observational and translational approaches to optimize treatment protocols for children with renal conditions.

Analysis of her 35 publications reveals a consistent emphasis on clinical outcomes in pediatric renal disease, with recent work (2022-2025) particularly focused on genetic aspects of glomerulopathies, dialysis innovations, and environmental impacts on renal health. Her collaborative research spans multiple Turkish institutions and international partnerships, frequently appearing in high-impact nephrology journals including Pediatric Nephrology and Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.

Dr. Akbalik Kara has served as principal investigator for national research projects including a study on atherosclerosis biomarkers in children on peritoneal dialysis (2022-2023). She has mentored two medical specialization theses and teaches 15 specialized courses in pediatric nephrology. She maintains active membership in the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology (since 2017), Mediterranean Kidney Society (since 2015), and Pediatric Nephrology Association (since 2015).