Maureen An-Ping Su

Maureen An-Ping Su is a tenured Professor in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) and Pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. She holds the Morrison Family Endowed Chair and serves as Associate Director of the UCLA/Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Dr. Su is a physician-scientist who cares for pediatric patients with autoimmune endocrinopathies while leading an immunology research group focused on autoimmunity, anti-cancer immunity, and sex differences in immunity.

Dr. Su's educational background includes:

• Combined AB/AM in Biology from Harvard College (1995), where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa
• MD from Harvard/MIT Health Sciences and Technology program (2000)
• Pediatrics Residency and Chief Residency at UCSF (2004)
• Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at UCSF (2009)

Dr. Su's research focuses on autoimmunity, anti-cancer immunity, and sex differences in immunity. Her laboratory investigates the epigenetic regulation of immune cells, particularly how the X-linked histone demethylase UTX (KDM6A) controls sex-specific immune responses. Her work has important implications for understanding autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and immune-related adverse events from cancer immunotherapy. She also studies how sex hormones influence T cell responses and autoimmune susceptibility.

Analysis of Dr. Su's recent publications reveals a strong focus on T cell biology in autoimmune conditions, particularly the role of IL-21-producing T cells in checkpoint inhibitor-induced autoimmune toxicities. Her work bridges basic immunology with clinical applications, especially in understanding the mechanisms behind autoimmune endocrinopathies. A significant theme across her publications is the investigation of epigenetic regulators like UTX in controlling immune cell differentiation and function.

Dr. Su has received numerous scientific awards and honors:

• Senior Investigator Award, Pediatric Endocrine Society (2025)
• Benson Research Award, GBS/CIDP Foundation (2022)
• Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, UCLA (2022)
• Elected Member, American Society of Clinical Investigation (2019-present)
• Clinical Scientist Development Program, Doris Duke Foundation (2012-2015)
• NIH NICHD, Pediatric Scientist Development Program (2005-2008)

Dr. Su actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, as evidenced by her Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from UCLA in 2022. She currently leads multiple NIH-funded research projects, including "Identifying New Immunotherapeutic Targets for Endocrine Autoimmunity" (NIH/NIAID 1U19AI181729-01, 2024-2029) and "Sex Differences in NK Cells Mediated by X-Linked UTX" (NIH/NIAID R01 AI174519, 2023-2028). Her research program is well-funded with multiple concurrent grants totaling millions of dollars in support.

Dr. Su leads the Su Lab at UCLA, which focuses on understanding the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases with particular emphasis on sex differences in immunity. Her laboratory investigates how epigenetic regulators like UTX control immune cell differentiation and function, with implications for autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy. The lab employs a range of techniques including mouse models of autoimmunity, human immune cell analysis, epigenetic profiling, and translational studies connecting basic findings to clinical applications.