Dr. Robert C. Robbins is the 22nd president of the University of Arizona. Previously, he was CEO of the Texas Medical Center. 

An internationally recognized cardiac surgeon and researcher, Robbins enjoyed a 20-year faculty career at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he served as chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and founding director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Robbins has focused his clinical efforts on acquired cardiac diseases with a special expertise in the surgical treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiothoracic transplantation. His research work includes the investigation of stem cells for cardiac regeneration, cardiac transplant allograft vasculopathy, bioengineered blood vessels, and automated vascular anastomotic devices.

In addition to leading the UA, Dr. Robbins serves on the boards of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He is also a member of the Chairman’s Circle of Sun Corridor, Inc., and a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership. While at TMC, Robbins served on the Houston branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve board and the board of directors of the Welch Foundation.

Robbins holds a B.S. in chemistry from Millsaps College and a medical degree from the University of Mississippi. He completed surgical training at the University of Mississippi, cardiothoracic training at Stanford University, postdoctoral research at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health, and congenital heart surgical fellowships at Emory University and Royal Children’s Hospital.