Ari Molofsky

Dr. Ari Molofsky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. Trained as an MD/PhD with clinical specialization in hematopathology, he leads a basic research laboratory focused on the intersection of immunology and tissue homeostasis. Dr. Molofsky is also an affiliate member of multiple UCSF programs including Microbiology and Immunology, ImmunoX Program, Liver Center, Pulmonary Research Group, NeuroImmunology Center for Excellence, and the UCSF Diabetes Center.

Education:

• BS in Molecular Biology, University of Texas, Austin (1999)
• PhD in Immunology & Microbiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2007)
• MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2007)
• Residency/Fellowship in Clinical Pathology / Hematopathology, UCSF (2011)

Dr. Molofsky's research focuses on stromal-immune niches across multiple organ systems including brain, lung, liver, adipose tissue, skin, and intestine. His work centers on type 2 immunity, innate lymphoid cells, regulatory T cells, and cytokine signaling (particularly Interleukin-33 and Interleukin-5). His laboratory investigates how immune cells interact with tissue microenvironments to maintain homeostasis and how dysregulation contributes to diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory conditions. Using foundation models, his team studies organ development, remodeling, and the role of fibroblasts and tissue-resident lymphocytes in health and disease.

Dr. Molofsky's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on neuroimmunology, particularly the role of immune cells in brain development and function, alongside ongoing work in pulmonary immunology, liver fibrosis, and adipose tissue immunometabolism. His research increasingly explores the intersection between the nervous and immune systems, with several high-impact publications on how immune cells shape neural circuits and behavior.

Scientific Awards:

• Clarivate 2022 Most Highly Cited Researchers (top 1%)
• UCSF 2021 Medical School Foundations Curriculum Teaching Award
• AAI 2019 American Association of Immunology Travel Award
• UCSF 2019 Nina Ireland Program for Lung Health Award
• Multiple early-career awards including NIH K08 and Hillblom Foundation Young Investigator Award

As a mentor, Dr. Molofsky has guided graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty, emphasizing the balance between clinical and research work. His laboratory is supported by multiple NIH R01 grants including projects on meningeal type 2 immunity in brain development, macrophage-fibroblast interactions in lung fibrosis, and the IL-33/ILC2 axis in various tissue contexts. He also holds funding from the California TRDRP and the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation.

Dr. Molofsky's laboratory maintains active collaborations across UCSF, particularly with the NeuroImmunology Center for Excellence and the Pulmonary Research Group. His team utilizes advanced techniques including flow cytometry, tissue clearing, and imaging to study immune-stromal interactions in diverse tissue contexts.