Melissa G. Lechner

Melissa G. Lechner, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. She established the Onco-Endocrinology Clinic at UCLA, specializing in endocrine complications from cancer immunotherapies and thyroid cancer. Her research focuses on immune-related adverse events (IrAEs) and thyroid disorders, supported by grants from the NIH, American Thyroid Association, and Endocrine Fellows Foundation.

Education:

• MD/PhD from USC Keck School of Medicine/Caltech Physician-Scientist Training Program
• Residencies at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Boston Children's Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
• UCLA Clinical Fellowship (Endocrinology) and STAR Program Post-Doctoral Research (2018)

Research Interests: Dr. Lechner investigates onco-endocrinology, thyroid autoimmune diseases triggered by immunotherapy, and biomarker discovery for IrAEs. She leads prospective clinical trials exploring immune mechanisms in thyroid dysfunction and develops targeted therapies (e.g., JAK inhibitors). Her work bridges immunology, cancer biology, and clinical endocrinology.

Publications: Her recent articles emphasize immunotherapy toxicities, thyroid cancer management, and T-cell biology, with recurring themes in autoimmune mechanisms and precision oncology. Studies frequently involve translational approaches combining patient samples and molecular profiling.

Awards & Grants:

• NIH Funding
• American Thyroid Association Grant
• Endocrine Fellows Foundation Grant

Clinical Trials: Principal Investigator for NIH/USC/UCLA-sponsored trials (e.g., IRB#21-000633, IRB#20-000494) studying thyroid autoimmunity in cancer patients. Research involves biomarker discovery and immune profiling.

Leadership: Director of the Lechner Lab; serves on the NCCN Immunotherapy Toxicity Management Panel. Collaborates with UCLA Health oncology/endocrinology teams.