Leslie J. Crofford, MD

Leslie J. Crofford, MD, director, Clinical Services Core (CSC) and associate director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, is chief, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine; director, Center for the Advancement of Women's Health; and professor of internal medicine in the Gloria W. Singletary Endowed Chair; and professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics, all in the UK College of Medicine. She brings broad research experience in basic, translational, and clinical science, as well as substantial administrative and mentoring experience to the leadership of CCTS.

Dr. Crofford has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as by research foundations and industry, since leaving the intramural program of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in 1993. Her research interests range from basic investigations of lipid mediators of inflammation in human synovial tissues to animal models of arthritis to patient-oriented studies of physiology. Additionally, she has substantial experience in the development and implementation of clinical trials.

Dr. Crofford serves as principal investigator for the Kentucky Women's Health Registry, which facilitates recruitment of women to clinical studies and provides a dataset for cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiologic studies. Dr. Crofford has significant mentoring experience as a K24 recipient and as principal investigator of a T32 for the training of arthritis research scientists.

Dr. Crofford is active in national professional societies, and currently serves as president of the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation.