Nicholas Leeper

Nicholas Leeper is a Professor of Surgery (Vascular Surgery) and of Medicine (Cardiovascular) at Stanford University School of Medicine. He holds multiple appointments including Professor - University Medical Line in Surgery - Vascular Surgery and Medicine - Cardiovascular Medicine. He is also a member of Bio-X, the Cardiovascular Institute, and the Stanford Cancer Institute. Dr. Leeper practices at Stanford Health Care and maintains an active research program focused on vascular biology and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Leeper's research primarily focuses on vascular biology, atherosclerosis, and the intersection of cardiovascular disease with other conditions including cancer. His work has significantly advanced understanding of efferocytosis (the process by which dead cells are cleared from tissues) in the context of atherosclerosis, demonstrating how impaired efferocytosis contributes to plaque progression and how it can be therapeutically targeted. His laboratory has developed innovative nanotherapies to enhance efferocytosis without causing adverse effects like anemia. More recently, his research has explored the connections between cardiovascular disease and cancer risk, revealing important epidemiological relationships.

Dr. Leeper's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with numerous high-impact papers in leading journals including Nature, Circulation, and The New England Journal of Medicine. His work spans basic science investigations of vascular smooth muscle cell biology and macrophage function to translational studies developing novel therapies and clinical research examining cardiovascular disease outcomes. A significant trend in his recent work involves the development and testing of RNA interference therapies targeting apolipoprotein C-III for lipid disorders.

Dr. Leeper's research has important clinical implications for the treatment of atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, and lipid disorders. His work on the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer risk has opened new avenues for understanding the connections between these major disease processes. His laboratory continues to be at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to treat vascular diseases through enhanced understanding of fundamental biological processes.