Robert Toto, M.D.
Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology and the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research

By chance, Robert Toto, M.D., found his way to UT Southwestern in February 1982 as a nephrology fellow. But it was much more than luck that led him to cultivate 40-plus years at UTSW, where he now serves as Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology and a member of the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research.

In 1981, Dr. Toto’s fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) was due to end when he met Juha Kokko, M.D., Ph.D., then Chief of the Division of Nephrology at UTSW, at a party he was hosting at his California home. Dr. Kokko was in town for an internal medicine conference, and the introduction made an impression on both men.

“UT Southwestern already had a very strong reputation for nephrology, so when it was time for me to decide where to go next, I called him. He remembered me, and that’s what propelled me to move to Dallas,” recalls Dr. Toto, who advanced to a UTSW faculty position in July 1983. “I still love the environment, the people, and the incredible opportunities UT Southwestern has offered me.”

Dr. Toto, an internationally renowned expert on kidney disease, has led groundbreaking research on its detection, diagnosis, and treatment. He serves as the Associate Dean of Translational Science and Education in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Director of the Center for Translational Medicine, and Medical Director of UTSW’s Kidney & Liver Disease Clinic. In addition, Dr. Toto directs funds from the Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell Center for the Development of New Approaches for the Treatment of Hypertension endowment.

After Dr. Toto graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School, he completed his residency at the University of Michigan and Baylor College of Medicine and went on to nephrology fellowships at UCSF and UTSW.

He has authored more than 250 articles and textbook chapters on kidney diseases. His laboratory is heavily involved in clinical trials to improve patient outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease and its complications, including cardiovascular disease.

As for his proudest achievement, Dr. Toto points to his role as an educator. He has mentored countless medical students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty members.

“If you find something you really want to do, perseverance and resilience are the keys to success,” says Dr. Toto, a Distinguished Teaching Professor. “And I would say UT Southwestern is a tremendously welcoming environment from a scientific perspective. For people who want to achieve something great, this is a great place to be.”