Honoring Dr. Clifford Lowell's Leadership and Contributions to UCSF

Clifford Lowell, MD, PhD recently announced he will be stepping down as Chair of the UCSF Department of Laboratory Medicine, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Lowell's leadership over the past 18 years has been instrumental in advancing UCSF's mission in clinical diagnostics, research, and education.

Leadership and Service

Dr. Lowell assumed the chairmanship on November 1, 2006, and over nearly two decades, he has transformed the Department of Laboratory Medicine into one of the most respected programs in the country. He has championed innovation in diagnostic testing and lab operations, while supporting the department’s vital role in UCSF Health’s clinical care mission. Under his leadership, the department has expanded training programs, strengthened faculty development, and deepened its collaborations across UCSF and nationally.

Dr. Lowell has also played a central role in UCSF governance and campus initiatives, contributing to School of Medicine planning efforts and mentoring emerging leaders in academic medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a key leader in scaling UCSF’s diagnostic testing capacity, ensuring timely and reliable results for patients and public health efforts.

Academic and Research Excellence

A graduate of Stanford University (BS in Biology, 1979) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (MD-PhD, 1986), Dr. Lowell completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins and UCSF. His NIH-funded research has significantly advanced our understanding of tyrosine kinase and phosphatase signaling in immune cells, with major implications for autoimmune diseases and immune deficiencies.

He has authored more than 225 peer-reviewed publications and has served as a mentor to numerous faculty, postdocs, and trainees who now hold leadership positions across the country.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout his career, Dr. Lowell has received numerous accolades, including:

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar (2001)
• Election as a conference organizer for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) (2009)
• Appointment to the Advisory Board for Neutrophil Immunity at Université du Québec (2014)
• UCSF Distinguished Professorship (2015)
• Election to the American Association of Physicians (2021) 

Dr. Lowell leaves behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and service. His tenure has positioned UCSF Laboratory Medicine as a national leader in the advancement of diagnostic science and medical education. He has built a strong foundation for future innovation and leadership. As we transition to new interim leadership, we honor Dr. Lowell’s remarkable impact and enduring legacy. Please join us in expressing our deepest appreciation for his years of dedicated service to UCSF.