Thomas Carroll

Thomas Carroll, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he is a member of the Division of Nephrology. He holds leadership roles as Director of Basic Science Research in Nephrology, Director of the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Graduate Program, and Director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute of the Study of Kidney Diseases.

Dr. Carroll earned his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California, Davis, followed by a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard University. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2004.

His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of kidney development, particularly Wnt signaling, planar cell polarity, and the regulation of nephron progenitor cells. His work has major implications for understanding and treating polycystic kidney disease and for advancing regenerative medicine. He has made seminal contributions to understanding how stromal-epithelial interactions and the Hippo pathway regulate kidney development.

His recent publications highlight advances in renal organoids, tumor development, and signaling pathways in nephrogenesis. These works span developmental biology, cancer research, and regenerative medicine, with a strong emphasis on translational insights.

• Internationally recognized as one of the top scientists in kidney development and polycystic kidney disease

Dr. Carroll has been widely recognized for his mentorship of junior scientists and has trained numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical students. His laboratory is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. He leads a dynamic research team and multiple training programs focused on kidney disease and development.

He leads the Thomas Carroll Lab, which investigates how cells organize into kidney tubules and maintain their structure, with implications for human disease. The lab actively recruits new members and promotes collaboration in nephrology research.