UVA School of Medicine recruits new Chair of the Dermatology Department
The University of Virginia School of Medicine has proudly announced the appointment of Dr. Lu Q. Le, MD, PhD, as the new chair of its Department of Dermatology, effective January 29, 2024. Dr. Le, a nationally acclaimed cancer biology researcher, will be joining UVA from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
In his previous role, Dr. Le served as a Professor of Dermatology and Associate Director of the Physician-Scientist Track for the Residency Program in the Department of Dermatology. His extensive research has significantly contributed to the understanding of cancer development from adult stem cells and the influence of surrounding non-cancerous cells on cancer cells. Dr. Le’s laboratory has garnered over $17 million in grant funding from various prestigious institutions, including the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Defense.
Dr. Le is not just a researcher; he is also a dedicated care provider to his dermatology patients and plays a vital role as the co-founding director and attending physician of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Comprehensive Adult Neurofibromatosis Clinic. His commitment to education is evident through his mentorship of over 50 fellows and students, and his leadership in the Physician-Scientist Residency Track in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Le’s appointment is a strategic move for UVA, aligning with their 10-year strategic plan to expand research programs, translate discoveries to enhance clinical care, and strengthen educational programs. He is poised to lead the dermatology team to new heights, building on the department’s long-standing tradition of excellence.
About the University of Virginia School of Medicine
The University of Virginia School of Medicine, under the leadership of Melina R. Kibbe, MD, the 17th Dean, is a hub for medical education, research, and patient care. The school has earned top honors in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools guide, ranking 11th in research among all ranked public schools of medicine. With a commitment to advancing knowledge in the medical sciences, UVA School of Medicine is dedicated to training the next generation of health science professionals and conducting innovative and impactful research that will improve human health.
The school is also home to various departments and centers that focus on different areas of medicine, providing comprehensive education and training to its students. The community at UVA School of Medicine is engaged in a wide range of activities, from clinical care to community service, all aimed at improving patient access, enhancing the patient experience, and addressing the most pressing community health needs.
About Dr. Lu Q. Le
Dr. Lu Q. Le, MD, PhD, is a distinguished figure in the field of dermatology and cancer biology. He holds the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Thomas L. Shields MD Professorship in Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Le has an impressive educational background, having received his PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, as well as his Medical Degree (MD) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at UCLA/St. Mary Medical Center, followed by residency training in Dermatology and a postdoctoral fellowship in Cancer Biology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Le is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is actively involved in patient care, both in the Dermatology Clinic and at the UTSW Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic. His research primarily focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, with a particular interest in the development and progression of cancers from adult stem/progenitor cells and the role of the tumor microenvironment.
His laboratory utilizes Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a common tumor predisposition human genetic disorder, as a model to address fundamental questions in cancer biology, as well as to explore cutaneous nervous system development and regeneration. Dr. Le’s ultimate research goals are to unravel the mechanisms that initiate neurofibroma genesis, drive their malignant transformation, and develop novel therapeutic targets for neurofibroma.
Dr. Le’s contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors and awards, and his research is supported by grants from prestigious institutions including the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
Sources:
- News Source: UVA Health Newsroom
- School Source: University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Doctor Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center – Dr. Lu Q. Le