Two School of Medicine Faculty Selected for ELAM Class of 2027

Marianna Alperin, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive services

Marianna Alperin, MD, is a physician-scientist, urogynecologist and academic leader at the School of Medicine where she serves as vice chair for translational research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

A nationally recognized leader, Alperin’s scientific and clinical expertise is in women’s health, an area that has historically faced substantial disparities in research funding and innovation. Her career has focused on advancing mechanistic and translational research in women’s health, while building collaborative research infrastructure and mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists and translational investigators. Her work aims to improve scientific understanding, therapeutic development and clinical care for conditions affecting millions of women worldwide.

Beyond her research contributions, Alperin is deeply committed to mentorship, faculty development, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across academic medicine. She has led multiple initiatives focused on strengthening research training environments and creating pathways for early-career investigators to succeed in increasingly complex ecosystems.

“Academic medicine is at an important inflection point,” said Alperin. “Leadership training is more important than ever as academic medical centers face continuously diminishing resources and multiple competing priorities. The future depends on developing leaders who can build collaborative systems, advance team science, support scientific innovation, advocate for rigorous and equitable research investment, and train the next generation of investigators and clinicians. I am honored to join the ELAM community and look forward to bringing these experiences back to my institution.”

Kathryn Gold, MD
Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine

Kathryn Gold, MD, a clinical professor in the Department of Medicine and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, has a distinguished record of clinical expertise in lung and head‑and‑neck malignancies, coupled with a career rooted in translational research that targets resistance mechanisms to cutting‑edge therapies.

Gold has led a number of investigator-initiated and pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials. She has secured competitive funding from the National Cancer Institute and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Her work has directly contributed to FDA approvals for several breakthrough anti‑cancer drugs, underscoring her impact on the national oncology landscape.

While serving as the medical director for cancer quality and value at Moores Cancer Center, Gold spearheaded initiatives that expanded advance‑care planning for patients, cut in‑hospital mortality among cancer patients, accelerated diagnostic work‑ups for suspected cancers and standardized documentation of cancer staging.

Since 2021, she has also acted as Cancer Quality Improvement Advisor for UC Health and the UC Cancer Consortium, guiding system‑wide population‑health strategies across the UC network.

In addition to her leadership roles, Gold mentors the next generation of physicians through the hematology/oncology fellowship program, with numerous trainees publishing and presenting on quality‑improvement and clinical research projects. Her dedication to elevating the quality, equity and accessibility of cancer care resonates throughout her clinical, research and educational endeavors.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program and honored to join the ELAM community,” said Gold. “I look forward to learning alongside emerging leaders from academic medical centers across the United States.  I hope to bring lessons back that will help UC San Diego remain a leader in clinical care, research and education during this resource constrained time.”

Alperin and Gold’s selection reflects the School of Medicine’s continued commitment to developing leaders in academic medicine who are advancing research, education, mentorship and advocacy at the highest level.