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Charles Pak, M.D.

Charles Pak, M.D.

Professor

Endowed Title
Alfred L. and Muriel B. Rabiner Distinguished Academic Chair for Mineral Metabolism Biotechnology Research
School
Medical School
Department
Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research | Internal Medicine
  • Biography

    After earning his M.D. and completing his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago, he left for the NIH in 1963. In 1965, he joined Dr. Frederic Bartter as a senior investigator of the Endocrinology Branch of the National Heart and Lung Institute. Since 1972, he was recruited to Dallas to establish the General Clinical Research Center and to head a new division in Mineral Metabolism at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Currently he holds the Distinguished Chair in Mineral Metabolism and is Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research. Throughout his career, Dr. Pak has devoted himself to the study of kidney stones and osteoporosis. He has developed three FDA approved orphan drugs for kidney stones, elucidated metabolic causes for stone formation, and devised a multi-test kit for individuals at risk for forming kidney stones. During the past 15 years, he has concentrated on efforts to find an effective calcium supplement and safe use of fluoride. Recently, he established a national training program in clinical research for young physicians. Dr. Pak has published over 500 scientific articles. In 1987, he received the Distinguished Contribution Award from the American Urological Association. In 1988 he received the United States Public Service Award for Exceptional Achievement in Orphan Products Development and the Bartter Award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. He was the 1992 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Chicago. In 1996, he obtained the Commissioner¿s Citation from the FDA.

  • Education
    Undergraduate
    University of Chicago (1958)
    Medical School
    University of Chicago (1964)
  • Research Interest
    • Endocrinology
    • Kidney stones
    • Mineral Metabolism
    • Osteoporosis
  • Publications

    Star Featured Publications

    Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured
    Intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium and low bone turnover in hypercalciuric postmenopausal osteoporosis
    Odvina CV, Poindexter JR, Peterson R, Pak CYC Urol Res October 2008 36 233-9
    New methods of assessing crystal growth and saturation of brushite in whole urine: effect of pH, calcium and citrate
    Pak CYC, Rodgers K, Poindexter, JR, Sakhaee K J Urol October 2008 180 1532-7
    Mechanism of urinary calcium regulation by urinary magnesium and pH
    Bonny O, Rubin A, Huang C-L, Frawley WH, Pak CYC, Moe OW J Amer Soc Nephrol April 2008 Epub ahead of print
    Pharmacotherapy of kidney stones
    Pak CYC Expert Opin Pharmacother 2008 9 1509-1518
    Medical stone management: personal reflections on 35 years of advances
    Pak CYC AUA News 2008 Convention Issue 2008 13 14-15
  • Honors & Awards
    • Chancellor’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award
      (2007)
    • Lifetime Achievement Award, 10th International Symposium on Urolithiasis, Hong Kong
      (2004)
    • Named designation in perpetuity Charles & Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research by University of Texas System
      (2003)
    • Distinguished Achievement Award, American Lithotripsy Society
      (2002)
    • Scribner Award, ASN
      (2000)