Averil Ma

Averil Ma, MD is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the UCSF IBD Center and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology. His research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying inflammation and cancer, particularly studying ubiquitin-regulating proteins like A20. He holds notable roles such as Chair of the NIH CMI-A Study Section (2010-2012) and Founding Chair of the KRF Scientific Advisory Board (2009).

Education: A.B. in Biochemistry from Harvard College (1980), M.D. from Columbia University (1984), Internal Medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (1987), and Gastroenterology fellowship at Columbia (1989).

Research interests include host-commensal interactions in the gut, innate immunity, and ubiquitin-dependent immune regulation. His lab investigates A20’s role in preventing inflammation and cancer via NF-κB signaling, inflammasome control, and tissue integrity. Techniques used include CRISPR, mass spectrometry, and mouse models.

Key awards include election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2001) and AGA/GRG Young Investigator Award (2001).

Publications focus on A20’s functions in inflammation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases, with contributions to understanding ubiquitin pathways and therapeutic targets for IBD, psoriasis, and SLE.