Dr. Lakshmi Priya Kunju Installed as A. James French Professor of Pathology

On a beautiful July evening, Dr. Lakshmi Priya Kunju stepped to the podium at the North Campus Research Complex to receive a gold medallion awarded her as the newly installed A. James French Professor of Anatomic Pathology as Dr. Charles Parkos, Chair of Pathology, stated, “Dr. Kunju, on behalf of the Regents of the University of Michigan, I present this medallion to you in recognition of your many achievements at the University of Michigan and beyond. We look forward to your continued success and future accomplishments as the A. James French Professor in Anatomic Pathology. Congratulations!” Applause broke out from family and friends in attendance; among these were her husband Ravi Kunju, daughter Megha Kunju, son Adhi Kunju, parents Drs. TM and Leela Krishnamoorthy, sister Ambika Srinivasan and nephew Arjun Srinivasan. The pride and joy on their faces lit up the room!

Kunju comes from a strong family heritage in the field of medicine, including her mother and five aunts, all of whom served as physicians in India. “With that kind of heritage, I think I was destined for a career in medicine,” quipped Kunju. Born and raised in India, Kunju completed her medical training at the Seth G. S. Medical College & King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in 1996. Following her marriage to Ravi Kunju, which she states “is the best thing I have ever done,” she emigrated to the United States where she completed her AP/CP residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit before coming to the University of Michigan for a fellowship in genitourinary/surgical pathology. In 2003, she was recruited to the University of Michigan as a lecturer in pathology, then promoted to a clinical lecturer (2004), to clinical assistant professor (2005), to clinical associate professor (2012), and then clinical professor (2017). In the midst of this, she still prioritized her family, raising two beautiful and accomplished children.

In March 2023, Kunju was appointed as the director of the division of anatomic pathology. In this role, she provides administrative leadership for multiple subspecialities, establishing short- and long-range goals, developing and implementing strategic plans. In addition, Dr. Kunju serves as the director of the biospecimen/pathology for the specialized program of research excellence in prostate cancer (SPORE). She has also participated in the innovative Mi-ONCOSEQ initiative since its inception. An active member of the USCAP, she currently sits on its board of directors. She is highly active in morphologic and molecular underpinnings of prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer research and clinical trials. Kunju is an international leader in the fields of surgical pathology and genitourinary pathology and is an in-demand speaker internationally. She is also actively involved in training the next generation of anatomic pathologists.

The A. James French Professorship in Anatomic Pathology, which was established through funds raised by the A. James French Society, is intended to support the efforts of the Director of Anatomic Pathology in the Department of Pathology. Its namesake, A. James French, M.D., served as Chair of Pathology from 1956 until 1980. Dr. French was instrumental in developing clinical pathology as a discipline within the Department of Pathology. Under his direction, the Department of Pathology became responsible for the hospital laboratories with many of his faculty serving as laboratory directors. Dr. French was nationally and internationally acclaimed as a leader in pathology. He received numerous awards and honors including Pathologist of the Year (1973) from the College of American Pathologists, and the Distinguished Service to Pathology Award (1977) given jointly by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the College of American Pathologists. Dr. French was an active member of the American Board of Pathology serving as Trustee (1962-1974), Secretary-Director (1964-1972), President (1973), and the first Executive Director (1974-1979). He also served as President for the Michigan Society of Pathologists (1950-1951) and as Vice-President (1964-1965), President-Elect (1965-1966), and President (1966-1967) of the International Academy of Pathology.

Dr. Jeffrey Myers spoke on her behalf, as he reflected on her career and accomplishments. “As much as anyone I know, Priya embodies the Michigan Medicine brand when it comes to the power of team science motivated by a patients-first culture. Collaborating with Arul Chinnaiyan and others in the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology and the departments of pathology and urology, she has contributed to major discoveries pertaining to both the mutational landscape and treatment of prostate cancer. She has done all of that while also regularly participating in the daily diagnostic practice as an internationally recognized authority who combines her love of patient care with her passion for teaching others.”

Dr. Kunju concluded her thoughts, “The journey matters more than the destination; but most important is the company you keep.” We are delighted to be on this journey with you, Dr. Kunju. Congratulations!