Medical School’s Lori J. Pierce, MD, named Distinguished University Professor

Medical School professor Lori J. Pierce, M.D., is one of six U-M faculty members recognized for their outstanding teaching and service with one of the university’s most prestigious honors: the Distinguished University Professorship.

The Board of Regents on July 16 approved the appointments for Pierce, Vincent L. Hutchings, James M. Joyce, Valerie A. Kivelson, Anna K. Mapp, and Dawn M. Tilbury. The appointments will begin Sept. 1, 2026, and will last throughout the recipient’s period of active service at the university and may be retained after retirement.

Each professorship bears a name determined by the appointed professor in consultation with their dean. Pierce is the Allen S. Lichter Distinguished University Professor of Radiation Oncology. Lichter was a leader in breast cancer research and treatment, known for designing and executing a foundational trial that established breast conservation as the standard of care for patients with early-stage breast cancer. He was chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at U-M (1984-98) and dean of the Medical School (1999-2006).

Pierce is a professor of radiation oncology in the Medical School and adjunct professor in the School of Nursing. A renowned radiation oncologist and clinician-scientist, her work has helped establish standards of care for early-stage breast cancer and advanced the safe, effective use of radiotherapy.

Pierce has maintained sustained external funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2018 and is a fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Research.

Pierce also served as the residency program director in radiation oncology and has served as a primary clinical or research mentor for more than 15 individuals. In 2024, the Department of Radiation Oncology created the Lori J. Pierce Mentorship Award in her honor. In 2025, she received the Karin Muraszo, M.D., Advancing Women in Academic Medicine and Science Award from the Medical School.

In their recommendation letter, Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Michael Solomon, Rackham Graduate School dean and vice provost for academic affairs, wrote: “As the vice provost for academic and faculty affairs, [Pierce] led major policy efforts concerning parental and family leave, faculty evaluation, and salary equity. Her leadership brought clarity and compassion to faculty affairs across the university.”

The Board of Regents established the Distinguished University Professorship in 1947 to recognize senior faculty members with exceptional scholarly or creative achievements, national and international reputations for academic excellence and superior records of teaching, mentoring and service.

Read about the new DUPs in The University Record.