Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis

Vilnius University, Lithuania

TOPIC – From Numbers to Relevance: Changing Paradigms in Pediatric Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Dr. Karolis Ažukaitis (MD, Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Vice-Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Medicine (Vilnius University), and a Senior Pediatric Nephrologist at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos. He serves as a Council Member of the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology and as a member of the Junior Academy of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

His primary research focus is early cardiovascular morbidity in children with high-risk conditions with a focus on early and novel markers of cardiovascular injury in this highly dynamic and particular population. Dr. Ažukaitis is actively involved in advancing research methodology education and promoting critical appraisal skills among healthcare professionals and researchers. He advocates for a collaborative and positive research culture, impact driven research practices, encouraging the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice and prioritizing person-centered care.