In memoriam: Gabriel Toro González (January 30, 1932 - February 24, 2024)

Abstract

This year we have lost one of the greats of neuroscience in Colombia, Gabriel Toro Gonzalez, a leader in the area of neuropathology at national and international level, author of multiple publications, contributions to science and university professor.

Coming from a peasant family in Concordia, Antioquia, Colombia, from the beginning he was an example of self-improvement, showing a good performance in his studies and achieving family support to finish high school and then study Medicine at the National University of Colombia, where he later studied a Specialization in Pathology. In 1959, he won a scholarship and traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, where he did his specialization in Neuropathology and obtained his Doctorate in Science at Charles University. Despite having several job offers in other countries, he was convinced that his country was the place where he should return, but that was not easy, as he was labeled as a communist and vetoed in several institutions, but finally managed to be appointed professor at the National University and pathologist at the Hospital San Juan de Dios, where he practiced continuously until its unfortunate closure. Despite being retired, he continued working for several more years. Since 1970 he was linked to the National Institute of Health, where he participated in public health research and achieved the highest recognition for his work. He also collaborated as a consultant and advisor to several national and international institutions.