Meharry Medical College is thrilled to welcome Dr. Huishi Toh as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Genomics and Epidemiology, School of Graduate Studies, and as a faculty member in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Toh brings a wealth of expertise in early-life nutritional programming and its implications for type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases, making her an invaluable addition to our academic community. Her appointment strengthens Meharry’s mission to address health disparities through innovative research and mentorship.
Dr. Toh’s academic journey began at McGill University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with First-Class Honors, making the Dean’s Honor List. She continued at McGill to obtain a PhD in Experimental Medicine, followed by postdoctoral training in Vascular Biology and Transgenics. She further advanced her expertise through postdoctoral research at the University of California, Santa Barbara, focusing on type 2 diabetes.
A pioneer in utilizing the Nile rat model, Dr. Toh has spent over a decade investigating this unique, carbohydrate-sensitive rodent, which develops type 2 diabetes in a manner remarkably similar to humans. Unlike traditional rodent models requiring genetic modification or extreme dietary interventions, the Nile rat provides unparalleled insights into the natural progression of diabetes. With Meharry becoming one of the few institutions worldwide to host this model, Dr. Toh’s research marks a significant advancement in the study of metabolic diseases.
Her work integrates cutting-edge multi-omics approaches—including metabolomics, transcriptomics, and genomics—to uncover early molecular pathways shaping disease progression before clinical symptoms appear. Her research has led to groundbreaking discoveries, such as the benefits of high-fiber maternal diets in reducing offspring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, the development of non-fasted sampling methods for detecting early metabolic dysfunction, and the creation of molecular tools for the Nile rat model.
Dr. Toh’s contributions to science are widely recognized, with publications in high-impact journals and invitations to present at international conferences. Her outstanding research has earned her prestigious honors, including the Garland Young Investigator Award and the Recruitment Excellence Fellowship from McGill University.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Dr. Toh is deeply committed to mentorship and education. She has guided numerous undergraduate students, many of whom have co-authored publications and received distinguished awards. Her dedication to fostering academic growth and diversity in science aligns with Meharry’s core values.
Reflecting on her new role, Dr. Toh shares:
“I am excited to join Meharry Medical College under the leadership of Dr. Amadou Gaye, who has created a very welcoming environment in pursuit of research excellence. The purpose of addressing health disparities connects the community at Meharry, and it feels that we are all working towards a common goal, whether we work on cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, cancers, or other areas. I look forward to the numerous scientific adventures with my fellow Meharrians.”
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Huishi Toh as she embarks on this exciting new chapter at Meharry Medical College.
