Physician Scientist Collective Distinguished Speaker Series

Dr. Thu Le serves as Chair and Professor of Medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine, where she holds the Thomas and Mary Cesario Chair of Medicine. She joined UC Irvine in 2025 after seven years as Chief of Nephrology at the University of Rochester. Dr. Le's research centers on hypertension, salt sensitivity and chronic kidney disease, with particular focus on genetic susceptibility to vascular injury and CKD progression. An elected Fellow of the American Heart Association, she has received numerous national honors including the American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Mentor Award, Castle Connolly Exceptional Women in Medicine and Top Doctors Awards, and the National Kidney Foundation Research Partner Award. Recognized for her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship of early career physicians and researchers, Dr. Le continues to expand high quality nephrology care and research at UC Irvine. Her leadership approach, shaped by early experiences of compassion and service, drives her dedication to advancing both clinical excellence and scientific innovation.