David Pearce

David Pearce, MD, is a Professor of Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He serves as Chief of Nephrology at San Francisco General Hospital, a core teaching hospital affiliated with UCSF. His expertise lies in renal physiology and ion transport mechanisms, with a focus on hormone-regulated pathways in kidney tubules. Dr. Pearce completed his MD at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, followed by residency in Internal Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a Nephrology fellowship at UCSF.

His research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying sodium and potassium homeostasis, particularly the role of SGK1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways. Key contributions include identifying multiprotein complexes regulating ion transport and developing preclinical therapies for hypertension and metabolic syndrome. His work is funded by NIH R01 grants and Foundation awards.

Recent studies highlight mTORC2's role in coordinating renal glucose and potassium regulation, with implications for hypertension treatment. Dr. Pearce's lab also explores aldosterone-independent potassium regulation and the therapeutic potential of SGK1 inhibitors. His collaborative projects integrate metabolic imaging and genetic models to advance understanding of renal and metabolic disorders.