Dr. Rutkowski’s research seeks to identify how lymphatic vessel biology and physiology impact chronic diseases such as lymphedema, obesity, lipedema, hypertension, and kidney disease. He has authored or co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts combining for over 7000 citations and has received external research funding from the National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association. Dr. Rutkowski’s work has been invited for presentations at numerous universities and international scientific meetings and he has been a strong presence in the lymphatic research community for over 20 years. Dr. Rutkowski enjoys mentoring postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, medical students, and undergraduates and is actively engaged in multiple societies, journal boards, and scientific committees.

With nearly eight years of experience in lymphatic research at Texas A&M College of Medicine and almost 20 years in endocrinology and neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, I have dedicated my career to advancing scientific understanding and improving patient outcomes. 

Before joining Texas A&M, my knowledge of lymphedema was limited, with my only personal experience being my mother-in-law’s diagnosis following breast cancer. She received minimal treatment and was offered few options beyond a compression sleeve. Looking back, I believe she would have greatly benefited from greater education and awareness about available treatments. 

While my background is primarily in basic sciences and laboratory research, I have always been passionate about making a real difference in the lives of patients. I strongly believe that knowledge is power, and one of the best ways to support patients is by ensuring they are informed about their diagnosis, treatment options, and available resources. 

As Co-Chair of the LE&RN Texas Chapter, I am excited to increase public awareness, advocate for better patient resources, and highlight groundbreaking research and treatment advancements. I look forward to working with this incredible community to ensure that lymphedema patients and their families have access to the education and support they deserve.

Dr. Martha Fowler earned her PhD in Bioengineering from Rice University, inspired by a personal loss that ignited a deep commitment to advancing medical science. Motivated to transform lifelong conditions into treatable—and ultimately curable—diagnoses, Martha focuses her research on developing innovative, science-driven therapies for chronic diseases.

Currently serving as both an Innovation Fellow and Venture Scholar, Martha has combined her passion for entrepreneurship and research by founding a company dedicated to curing lymphedema. Her team is advancing a cutting-edge regenerative platform designed to resolve edema at its root cause. Now in pre-clinical trials, this promising technology aims to reshape the future of lymphedema treatment. Martha is honored to bring her scientific background and advocacy to the LE&RN Texas Chapter, helping to accelerate progress for patients across the state and beyond.