Dr. Michael Diamond stands as a preeminent figure in the field of virology and immunology, renowned for his groundbreaking research on emerging RNA viruses. He currently serves as the Herbert S. Gasser Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, with additional appointments in Molecular Microbiology and Pathology & Immunology. Born in Queens, New York City, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Columbia University where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science. He earned both his Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University, followed by clinical training in internal medicine and infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco. In 2001, he established his laboratory at Washington University, where he has since developed a world-class research program focused on viral pathogenesis.
Dr. Diamond's laboratory has pioneered innovative approaches to understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral infection and pathogenesis, with particular focus on flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and coronaviruses. His team developed seminal mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis that accelerated the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics and mucosal vaccines now approved or in human clinical trials. His research has uncovered critical host immune factors that restrict virus infection in different tissues, revealing novel mechanisms of viral immune evasion. The practical applications of his work have directly contributed to advancing therapeutic strategies against emerging viral threats including West Nile virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, and SARS-CoV-2, significantly impacting global public health responses to viral outbreaks.
As associate director for the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Dr. Diamond plays a pivotal role in shaping immunological research at Washington University. His election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2024, following his induction into the National Academy of Medicine in 2018, underscores his profound influence on the scientific community. He currently serves as a councilor for the Association of American Physicians and has received numerous prestigious honors including the Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Diamond continues to investigate how trans-kingdom interactions including helminth co-infection and bacterial microbiota influence viral pathogenesis, with his laboratory actively pursuing novel approaches to vaccine development and therapeutic interventions against emerging viral threats.
