Lakshmi Chilukuri is an Indian-American academic and professor of molecular biology, best known to the public as the mother of and the mother-in-law of U.S. Vice President JD Vance . She currently serves as the Provost of Sixth College at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), where she is also a teaching professor in the Department of Molecular Biology. Professional Background
Through her work, Lakshmi has inspired countless individuals, particularly women, to take on leadership roles in their faith communities. Her dedication to promoting interfaith understanding, women's empowerment, and social justice has made her a respected and beloved figure in the Hindu community and beyond. lakshmi chilukuri
: Her work has extended into oncology, specifically looking at immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in uterine cancer and the immunological mechanisms behind patient response to therapy. Legacy in the Lab and Classroom Legacy in the Lab and Classroom She immigrated to the U
She immigrated to the U.S. from India in the 1980s and earned her PhD in Marine Biology from UC San Diego in 1998. Family and Personal Life Usha and Shreya
, she oversees a residential college dedicated to culture, art, and technology, focusing on student wellbeing and success. Scientific Research: She is a marine molecular biologist and biochemist who previously coordinated undergraduate Microbiology Teaching Labs at UCSD. Advocacy & Education: Chilukuri has been an active proponent of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, helping to create pilot courses on race and gender in medicine. Personal Life Heritage: Originally from Andhra Pradesh, India, she immigrated to the United States in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Family: She is married to Radhakrishna "Krish" Chilukuri, a retired aerospace engineer and lecturer. Together they raised two daughters, Usha and Shreya, in a Hindu household in San Diego. Public Profile: While she largely remained out of the public eye for years, her career and views have recently drawn media attention due to the high-profile political positions of her son-in-law. Would you like more details on her
Lakshmi Chilukuri: Bridging Biological Research and Pedagogical Innovation