Dr. Jerrold Levine
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Jerrold Levine
Jerrold Levine is an American academic nephrologist, physician-scientist, and research professor. He is known for his work on the role of apoptotic cells in immune regulation, renal epithelial biology, and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). Levine currently serves as a Research Professor of Nephrology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, where he continues to pursue both clinical nephrology and immunological research.
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Education and Training
Levine received his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1975. He subsequently earned his MD and PhD through the Yale University School of Medicine, completing the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). His dual training in medicine and basic science laid the foundation for a distinguished career at the intersection of clinical care and biomedical research.
He completed his residency in internal medicine at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital, followed by multiple fellowships in nephrology, immunology, and critical care medicine at institutions including Boston University Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, and Presbyterian-University Hospital of Pittsburgh. His early research mentors included Salant DJS, Beller DIB, and Grenvik AG.
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Academic Career
Levine began his academic career at Boston University Medical Center, where he held appointments in nephrology and clinical pharmacy. In 2000, he joined the University of Chicago as Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of Academic Affairs for the Nephrology Section. In 2004, he moved to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where he served as Associate Professor, later becoming Research Professor in 2020. He has also held adjunct appointments in microbiology and immunology.
At UIC and affiliated hospitals, Levine combined clinical service, medical education, and research, notably at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, where he served as Chief of Nephrology from 2006 to 2016.
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Research Contributions
Dr. Levine’s laboratory focuses on the immunological roles of apoptotic and necrotic cells in renal and systemic diseases. His research follows two major directions: 1. Cellular Crosstalk in Renal Injury: Investigating how apoptotic or necrotic cell recognition by renal tubular epithelial cells and macrophages influences immune responses and tissue remodeling. 2. Autoimmunity and Apoptotic Antigens: Studying apoptotic cells as sources of autoantigens and immunogens in systemic autoimmune disorders, particularly SLE and APLS.
His work has advanced the understanding of immune tolerance, autoantibody generation, and kidney inflammation, helping to define how dead cells contribute to both immune resolution and immune dysregulation.
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Clinical Practice
In parallel with his research, Levine has maintained an active nephrology practice for over four decades, with clinical appointments at major academic and community hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. His focus has included glomerular disease, immune-mediated nephropathies, and chronic kidney disease management.
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Appointments and Affiliations
Academic Positions • Research Professor, UIC College of Medicine – Nephrology (2020–present) • Associate Professor, UIC College of Medicine – Nephrology (2004–2020) • Director of Academic Affairs, University of Chicago Nephrology (2001–2004) • Assistant Professor, University of Chicago (2000–2004) • Assistant Professor, Boston University Medical Center (1991–2000) • Adjunct Associate Professor, UIC Microbiology & Immunology (2004–2016)
Clinical Leadership • Chief of Nephrology, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (2006–2016) • Medical Staff, UIC, Jesse Brown VAMC, Boston Medical Center, and others
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Certifications and Licensure • American Board of Internal Medicine, Diplomate (1985) • American Board of Internal Medicine – Nephrology, Diplomate (1990) • Medical licenses in Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York
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Legacy and Recognition
Dr. Levine is regarded as a leader in the field of immuno-nephrology and a mentor to many in academic nephrology. His career has been characterized by the integration of bench-to-bedside research, clinical excellence, and academic service, representing a rare embodiment of the physician-scientist ideal.
He continues to mentor researchers and trainees, advancing the study of immune tolerance, renal inflammation, and the intersection of cell death and chronic disease.
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See Also • Apoptosis and Immunology • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus • Antiphospholipid Syndrome • Nephrology • Medical Scientist Training Programs (MD/PhD) Legacy and Recognition
Dr. Gerold Levine is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading physician-scientists in nephrology and immunology. His groundbreaking research on the interplay between cell death, autoimmunity, and renal inflammation has had a profound impact on our understanding of systemic autoimmune diseases and renal pathology.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has demonstrated a rare MD-PhD path combining deep basic science insights with dedicated clinical care through rigorous scholarship. His work has influenced generations of researchers and clinicians, and his scientific legacy lives on through the discoveries he made in his laboratory and the trainees he inspired.
He is internationally recognized as a top physician-scientist—a global authority on immune-mediated kidney disease and apoptotic cell biology.