Dr. Robert Kloner is a preeminent cardiologist and visionary leader in cardiovascular research who currently serves as Chief Science Officer and Scientific Director of Cardiovascular Research at Huntington Medical Research Institutes. He holds an additional appointment as Professor of Medicine (Clinical Scholar) at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where he has maintained a dual academic and research commitment for decades. With both an MD and PhD, Dr. Kloner has built an internationally recognized research program spanning over forty years, establishing himself as a transformative figure in cardiac pathophysiology. His career trajectory includes founding and directing successful research facilities at Wayne State University and The Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital, where he cultivated environments renowned for scientific excellence and innovation. Dr. Kloner's leadership extends across numerous national and international collaborations with research institutions and medical industries worldwide.
Dr. Kloner's groundbreaking research has fundamentally reshaped the understanding of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion, most notably through his seminal 1974 study that first characterized the "no-reflow" phenomenon after coronary occlusion, which has garnered over 2,500 citations and established a cornerstone of modern cardiology. He pioneered the conceptual frameworks for stunned myocardium, remote ischemic preconditioning, and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular events, contributions that have directly influenced clinical practice and therapeutic approaches to heart disease. With an impressive scholarly output exceeding 774 peer-reviewed publications, 222 book chapters, and 574 abstracts as of 2024, his work spans critical areas including myocardial infarction pathophysiology, hypertension, heart failure, and the cardiovascular effects of substances ranging from alcohol to electronic cigarettes. His influential 1994 paper on reperfusion injury inducing apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and his 1993 research on remote preconditioning have each received over 1,900 citations, demonstrating the sustained impact of his scientific contributions across multiple decades.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Kloner has profoundly influenced the cardiovascular field through his extensive mentorship of dozens of medical scientists and his collaborative approach that has bridged academia, clinical practice, and industry. He has authored or edited 18 medical texts including multiple editions of "Cardiovascular Trials Reviews" and "The Guide to Cardiology," resources that have educated generations of cardiologists and researchers. Currently, Dr. Kloner is exploring innovative intersections between cardiovascular health and sexual dysfunction while collaborating with bio-engineering teams at USC on noninvasive assessment of heart function through cell phone applications. Demonstrating remarkable versatility beyond science, he has published three medical science fiction novels and released a neo-classical piano composition album titled "Tunes from Edmonson Alley" in 2024, reflecting his multifaceted intellectual curiosity. His ongoing research continues to address pressing questions in cardiovascular safety, including recent commentary on the cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana, ensuring his legacy of transformative contributions to cardiac science endures.
