Bonnie Carney, PhD

Bonnie C. Carney, PhD, is a Research Scientist in the Burn Research Laboratory at the MedStar Health Research Institute. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center. Currently, she is a KL2 scholar at the Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS).

Her primary research focus is on post-burn hypertrophic scarring and pathological wound healing. Additionally, she studies the biology of dyschromia and pigmentation in hypertrophic scars. She has a strong interest in post-burn resuscitation, endothelial dysfunction, and the effects of fresh frozen plasma on glycoxalyx repair. Dr. Carney's career goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals affected by burn injuries.

Passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists and physicians, Dr. Carney takes pride in guiding undergraduate, master's, medical, and PhD students, as well as clinical and research surgical fellows and junior faculty. She is committed to training a diverse cohort, with a specific focus on empowering women in science and medicine.

Dr. Carney received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Maryland and a Doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Georgetown University.

Other information

Dr. Carney is a member of the American Burn Association (ABA) and the PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research (PASPCR).

Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) - Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting

Credentialed by the National board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Selected research

A complete list of her publications can be viewed here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=carney+bc&sort=date

Autologous Meshed Graft Healing Within the Interstice versus Surrounding Adhered Split Thickness Skin Sites: Where Should Tissue Biopsies Be Taken to Assess Tissue-Level Histoarchitecture?
Oliver MA, Keyloun JW, Molina EA, Pierson BE, Moffatt LT, Shupp JW, Carney BC.J Surg Res. 2025 Jun;310:257-267. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.04.002. Epub 2025 May 3.PMID: 40319652

Endothelial dysfunction is dampened by early administration of fresh frozen plasma in a rodent burn shock model.
Kelly EJ, Ziedins EE, Carney BC, Moffatt LT, Shupp JW.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Oct 1;97(4):520-528. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004373. Epub 2024 May 20.PMID: 38764137

Treatment of burn hypertrophic scar with fractional ablative laser-assisted drug delivery can decrease levels of hyperpigmentation.
Kurup S, Travis TE, Shafy RAE, Shupp JW, Carney BC.Lasers Surg Med. 2023 Jul;55(5):471-479. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23662. Epub 2023 Apr 13.PMID: 37051876

Hypopigmented burn hypertrophic scar contains melanocytes that can be signaled to re-pigment by synthetic alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in vitro.
Carney BC, Travis TE, Moffatt LT, Johnson LS, McLawhorn MM, Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Rosenthal DS, Shupp JW.PLoS One. 2021 Mar 25;16(3):e0248985. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248985. eCollection 2021.PMID: 33765043 Free PMC article.

Research interests

• burn injuries
• hypertrophic scar
• dyschromia
• pigmentation
• melanocytes
• skin physiology
• skin pathophysiology
• wound healing
• autologous skin grafting
• burn resuscitation
• colloids
• glycocalyx
• endothelial dysfunction