Dr. Eliezer Masliah is a neuropathologist who served as Director of the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging from 2016 until 2024. He received his medical degree in 1982 from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego. Following his clinical training, he established a distinguished academic career at UCSD with joint appointments in Neuroscience and Pathology. During his tenure at UCSD, Dr. Masliah directed the neuropathology core of the Shirley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, building a reputation as a leading authority in neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr. Masliah was internationally recognized for his research contributions to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, with approximately 800 published papers that made him one of the most cited scientists in neuroscience. His work focused extensively on alpha-synuclein and synaptic damage mechanisms in neurodegeneration, significantly influencing the scientific understanding of these conditions. As Director of NIA's Division of Neuroscience, he oversaw the world's largest research program on Alzheimer's disease-related dementias with a budget of $2.6 billion during the fiscal year before his departure. NIH concluded a nine-month investigation finding evidence of research misconduct involving the manipulation of images across multiple publications.
Dr. Masliah's research had substantial influence across the neuroscience community, with his papers serving as foundational references for researchers studying neurodegenerative mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. His leadership position at NIA positioned him as a key figure directing federal funding priorities during a period of unprecedented growth in dementia research investment following the 2016 congressional funding increase. Following the NIH's findings of research misconduct, Dr. Masliah was no longer serving as Director of NIA's Division of Neuroscience, with Dr. Amy Kelley appointed as acting director. The scientific community continues to evaluate the implications of the misconduct findings across numerous studies that referenced his work in developing experimental treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
