Mary Sorci Thomas

Mary Sorci Thomas, PhD is a Professor with Tenure in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and in the Department of Pathology Section on Lipid Sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She serves as Associate Director of the Cardiovascular Center and Associate Program Director of the CVC T32 Training Program at MCW. Dr. Sorci Thomas is an internationally recognized expert in lipoprotein metabolism and HDL research with over 30 years of continuous NIH funding.

Dr. Sorci Thomas's research program focuses on the structural and functional properties of apolipoprotein A-I and HDL, with particular emphasis on how these relate to cholesterol transport, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Her work has provided fundamental insights into the mechanisms of HDL biogenesis, the role of specific apolipoprotein domains in LCAT activation, and the relationship between HDL function and immune regulation. Her laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining protein chemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, and animal models to investigate these processes.

Analysis of Dr. Sorci Thomas's recent publications reveals a continued focus on HDL structure-function relationships, with increasing attention to the connections between lipid metabolism, inflammation, and vascular biology. Her work spans basic mechanistic studies of apolipoprotein structure to translational investigations of HDL function in disease processes, demonstrating a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in lipoprotein biology.

• Established Investigator, American Heart Association (1994-1999)
• Women's Mentoring Award, American Heart Association (2002)
• Special Recognition Award, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council (2002)
• Chair, Gordon Conference on Lipoprotein Metabolism (2006)
• Chair, Kern Aspen Lipid Meeting (2010-Present)
• Co-Chair, Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council of AHA (2016-2022)

Dr. Sorci Thomas has mentored numerous students, postdocs, and junior faculty throughout her career. As Associate Program Director of the CVC T32 Training Program at MCW, she continues to play an active role in training the next generation of cardiovascular researchers. Her mentorship extends beyond her own laboratory through her leadership roles in national organizations and scientific review panels.