Karel Pacak, MD, DSc, PhD, an internationally renowned expert in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, especially pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, is Senior Investigator, Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, at the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Pacak’s patient-oriented research focuses on the etiology, pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, localization, and treatment of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL). Projects include both translational research—applying basic science knowledge to clinical diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment—and “reverse translation research” by which clinical findings lead to new concepts for pursuit by basic researchers in the laboratory.
In addition to his research, Dr. Pacak is active in the field, founding and/or participating in multiple organizations and as an author of more than 520 scientific peer-reviewed articles, 140 book chapters, and 6 books. He established the International Symposia on Pheochromocytoma and also helped co-found a new Asian Alliance for the Study of Neuroendocrine Tumors in 2010. He has received numerous awards including the Peter Heimann Memorial Award at Yale University, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons; NIH Director’s Mentoring Award; Award for Cure from Pheo & Para Alliance; NICHD Director’s Award of Merit; Pincus Taft Memorial Lecture the Highest Award from Endocrine Society of Australia; Jessenius Gold Medal from Slovak Academy of Sciences; Outstanding Clinical Endocrinologist from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; and Outstanding Clinical Investigator Award from the U.S. Endocrine Society.
Dr. Pacak is among the most cited researchers in the field of PHEO/PGLs worldwide, with more than 2,000 citations each year.
