Administration

Administrative Core

Director: Hugo Rosen, M.D.
Dr. Rosen is a Professor of Medicine, Immunology and Microbiology and Chairman of Medicine at USC since May 2018. His research focuses on immunity related HCV in acute infection, chronic infection before and after antiviral therapy and following liver transplantation. His research has also shifted to focus on NAFLD using both human specimens and multiple murine models.

Senior Associate Director: Neil Kaplowitz, M.D.
Dr. Kaplowitz is the founding Director of the RCLD and is a Professor of Medicine. His research focuses on the interplay between signal transduction and oxidative stress on the functions of mitochondria and ER in pathogenesis of acute and chronic liver disease such as acute injury from acetaminophen, TNF/galactosamine and subacute and chronic alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. He is also an international authority on the clinical aspects of drug-induced and alcoholic liver disease.

Associate Director: Laurie D. DeLeve, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. DeLeve is a Professor of Medicine and an internationally recognized physician scientist as well as the leading authority on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and circulatory disturbance in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Her research examines the role LSECs play in hepatic fibrosis, and has established the essential role that LSEC progenitor cells play in liver regeneration.

Assistant Director: Lucy Golden-Mason, Ph.D.
Dr. Golden-Mason is a Professor of Medicine. Her research focuses on immunology, translational research and biobanking, which represents a valuable contribution to the liver center. Her primary research interest is focused on the innate immune response associated with the promotion and resolution of inflammation and fibrosis in human liver disease including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Administrative Staff:

Center Administrator: Dolores Mendoza
Ms. Mendoza has managed the Center for the past 10 years. She works closely with Dr. Rosen and supports the Center in a wide capacity, such as member enrollment, grant submissions, pilot grants, budgets, helping organize symposia and speakers schedules, among other administrative duties.

External Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB)

Gregory J. Gores, M.D. (Board Chair)
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Dr. Gores is a Professor of Medicine. Dr. Gores’ research focuses on role death of receptors in hepatocyte apoptosis and carcinogenesis of biliary epithelia.

David E. Cohen, M.D, Ph.D.
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
Dr. Cohen is a Vincent Astor Distinguished Professor of Medicine. Dr. Cohen’s research focuses on understanding the molecular regulation of hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism.

Arun J. Sanyal, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Sanyal is a Professor of Medicine. Dr. Sanyal’s research focuses on non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver disease.

Michael Karin, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
Dr. Karin is Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology. Dr. Karin’s research focuses on stress and inflammation signaling covering the entire gamut of research approaches from basic biochemistry through molecular cell biology to animal pathophysiology.

Anna Mae Diehl, M.D.
Duke University School of Medicine
Dr. Diehl is a Professor of Medicine. Dr. Diehl’s research focuses on liver injury and repair. With a particular interest in fatty liver diseases, such as alcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

T. Jake Liang, M.D.
National Institutes of Health
Dr. Liang is Chief of Liver Disease Branch at NIDDK. Dr. Liang’s research focuses on the mechanisms of disease to improve treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and viral hepatitis – associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).