1996 Wylie Scholar
Vice-Chairman of Research, Department of Surgery
Director of Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories
Washington University

Dr. Robert Thompson's research is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Through the support of the Wylie Scholar award, he identified a group of enzymes that break down the connective tissue in the wall of the blood vessel. These findings advanced the research to develop new treatments to suppress aneurysm growth. As a result of this research, Dr. Thompson holds a patent for a drug treatment for aneurysms.

In addition to his research, Dr. Thompson is an expert on thoracic outlook syndrome, a group of conditions caused by compression of the blood vessels that can cause pain or weakness in the arm, numbness in the hands and fingers, and sudden swelling and discoloration of the arm. Thoracic outlet syndrome is most common in active, otherwise healthy individuals aged 35–55 and can be a cause for substantial disability. Dr. Thompson directs the multidisciplinary Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Washington University in St. Louis, one of the only such centers in the country, and is the consulting vascular surgeon for most major league basball teams.

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