University of Michigan (U-M) Professor Lori J. Pierce, MD, is one of six U-M faculty members recognized for their outstanding teaching and service with one of the university’s prestigious honors, the Distinguished University Professorship.
Lori J. Pierce, MD
The U-M Board of Regents recently approved the appointments for Dr. Pierce in addition to five other University faculty,Vincent L. Hutchings (Political Science and Afroamerican and African Studies), James M. Joyce (Philosophy), Valerie A. Kivelson (History), Anna K. Mapp (Chemistry), and Dawn M. Tilbury (Robotics). The appointments will begin September 1, 2026, and will last throughout the recipient’s period of active service at the University and may be retained after retirement.
Allen S. Lichter Distinguished University Professor of Radiation Oncology
Each professorship bears a name determined by the appointed professor in consultation with their dean. Dr. Pierce is the Allen S. Lichter Distinguished University Professor of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Lichter, former CEO of ASCO, also was a leader in breast cancer research and treatment at U-M, known for designing and executing a foundational trial that established breast conservation as the standard of care for patients with early-stage breast cancer. He was Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at U-M (1984-1998) and Dean of the Medical School (1999-2006).
Dr. Pierce is a Professor of Radiation Oncology in the University of Michigan Medical School and Adjunct Professor in the U-M School of Nursing. Her work has helped establish standards of care for early-stage breast cancer and advanced the safe, effective use of radiotherapy.
Dr. Pierce has maintained sustained external funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2018 and is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Research. She is a past-president of ASCO.
Dr. Pierce also served as the Residency Program Director in Radiation Oncology and has served as a primary clinical or research mentor for numerous individuals. In 2024, the Department of Radiation Oncology created the Lori J. Pierce Mentorship Award in her honor.
In their recommendation letter, Laurie McCauley, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Michael Solomon, Rackham Graduate School Dean and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, wrote: “As the Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, [Dr. Pierce] led major policy efforts concerning parental and family leave, faculty evaluation, and salary equity. Her leadership brought clarity and compassion to faculty affairs across the university.”
The Board of Regents established the Distinguished University Professorship in 1947 to recognize senior faculty members with exceptional scholarly or creative achievements, national and international reputations for academic excellence and superior records of teaching, mentoring and service.
