Susan Bailey Gurley

Susan Bailey Gurley, MD, PhD is the Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Chair and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. She is a Physician Scientist specializing in nephrology with over 20 years of expertise in diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Her leadership roles include directing the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and serving as interim chair at OHSU from 2021-2023.

• Education:
  • PhD in Biophysical Chemistry, University of Mississippi
  • MD, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO
  • Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine

Research Interests: Dr. Gurley's work focuses on mouse models of diabetic nephropathy and hypertension, with a particular emphasis on ACE2 and angiotensin II receptors in blood pressure and kidney injury. Her studies span genomic and metabolomics analyses, conditional gene targeting, and cardiovascular-renal interactions. Her recent publications highlight ACE2 deficiency in acute kidney injury, sex differences in RAS, and translational implications of her work for hypertension and diabetic complications.

Scientific Recognition: She holds the Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Chair in Medicine, a prestigious academic appointment reflecting her leadership in clinical and research nephrology. Her publications in high-impact journals like Hypertension, JASN, and Kidney International demonstrate her sustained contributions to RAS biology and kidney disease mechanisms.

Leadership & Practice: As Chair, she oversees the Department of Medicine at Keck, emphasizing academic development and biomedical research. She also practices clinically at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, with expertise in internal medicine and transplant nephrology. Her work bridges basic science, translational research, and clinical leadership in kidney disease and hypertension.