Choosing the Right Program and Mentor
Since physiology was his favorite course, Gabby
investigated graduate programs that were associated with physiology. After a lot
of searching, he decided to go to the University of Mississippi to study under
Dr. Arthur Guyton. Dr. Guyton had written a very famous textbook called
Textbook of Medical Physiology, that is used all over the world in medical
schools.That textbook had a great influence on Gabby’s decision to go to
Mississippi. In addition, Dr. Guyton’s personal style of talking directly with
students won Gabby over.
During the next few years, Gabby became interested in
studying the physiology of the kidneys (called renal physiology). He was
especially interested in the unique role of the kidneys in regulating the volume
of fluid in the body. Gabby received his Ph.D. in 1966.
Gabby was strongly influenced throughout his years in
graduate school by Dr. Guyton. In fact, Dr. Guyton remained a mentor for Gabby
even after those years, through his postdoctoral training and early years as a
faculty member.
Reaching the Top
After finishing his Ph.D. degree and his additional postdoctoral research
training at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Navar stayed on there as a
faculty member for several years. In 1974, he moved to Alabama and became
a member of the Department of Physiology and the Nephrology Research and
Training Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He remained
there until 1988.
At that time Dr. Navar was offered the position as Chair of the Physiology
Department at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA.
He accepted and has been Chair of that department for over 15 years. He is
also Co-Director of the Tulane Renal and Hypertension Center of
Excellence.
Research
Even though he is the Chair, Dr.
Navar still runs a very active research program. His laboratory investigates the
mechanisms that regulate kidney function. Another area of interest for him is
the mechanisms within the kidney that mediate the changes in sodium excretion
that occur in response to changes in arterial pressure.
Service to Physiology
Dr. Navar has been an active
member of the APS since 1966, serving on many committees, in other leadership
roles, and in the Society’s publications program. In 1991 the entire membership
elected him to serve on the APS Council to help run the Society. The members
then elected him again in 1998 to serve as President. During his presidency, Dr.
Navar coordinated an effort to increase the membership of the Society, enabling
APS to hit the 10,000 member mark. He also oversaw the granting of full
membership benefits to overseas members so that they could vote for and become
officers and serve on committees.
Since becoming a Chair, Dr.
Navar has also been active in another society composed of all the chairs of
physiology departments. He was elected by them to be a member of their Council
and then elected as President in 1996-97. In 2003, Dr. Navar received their
highest award, the Distinguished Service Award for his service to the
organization and the discipline of physiology.
Away From Work
Dr. Navar, because of his high-quality research, is asked
to travel all over the world to talk to other scientists about it. Because of
that, he has a great number of friends and colleagues all around the world that
he enjoys visiting.
He also likes fishing and playing racquetball. He spends a
lot of time with his family and especially his grandchildren, whom he claims are
the best grandkids ever.
