Dr. Dean Metcalfe stands as a preeminent immunologist whose career has profoundly shaped our understanding of allergic diseases and mast cell biology. He currently serves as Chief of the Mast Cell Biology Section at the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases within the National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, a position he has held since 1995. Dr. Metcalfe earned his Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University in 1966, followed by a Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1968, and completed his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee in 1972. After finishing his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan in 1974, he pursued fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology at NIH, where he developed his enduring focus on mast cell disorders and hypersensitivity reactions.
Dr. Metcalfe and his laboratory have made seminal contributions to the field of mast cell biology, beginning with his pioneering 1979 publication that first identified human heparin, a landmark achievement that established foundational knowledge in the field. His research team developed the first clinical protocols at NIH to systematically study mast cell disorders, particularly mastocytosis, establishing standardized approaches that continue to guide clinical practice today. With over 600 scientific publications and 265 abstracts to his name, Dr. Metcalfe has significantly advanced our understanding of human mast cell development, regulation, and function in both health and disease states. His work has been instrumental in transforming mastocytosis from a poorly understood condition to a diagnosable and increasingly treatable disorder, directly improving patient outcomes through evidence-based clinical approaches.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Dr. Metcalfe has shaped the field through his leadership as the first Chief of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases at NIAID, NIH, a position he held for 22 years until 2017, and as Director of the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Fellowship Program from 1993 to 2008. His recognition as ECNM Researcher of the Year in 2018 underscores his international standing and the global impact of his work on mast cell disorders. Dr. Metcalfe continues to mentor the next generation of immunologists and allergists while maintaining an active research program focused on improving therapeutic approaches for patients with mast cell disorders. His ongoing work promises to further elucidate the complex biology of mast cells and develop more targeted treatments for mast cell-mediated diseases, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in immunology and clinical allergy research.
