Dr. Peter Palese is a distinguished virologist whose pioneering research has revolutionized our understanding of RNA viruses and their interactions with host organisms. He currently serves as the Horace W. Goldsmith Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, a position he has held with exceptional distinction for decades. Originally educated in chemistry and pharmacy at the University of Vienna, where he received his M.S. in pharmacy in 1970 and his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1969, he transitioned to virology during his postdoctoral fellowship at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology. His early career at Mount Sinai began in 1971 when he joined as an assistant professor, establishing the foundation for what would become one of the most influential virology research programs in contemporary science.
Dr. Palese's laboratory established the first comprehensive genetic maps for influenza A, B, and C viruses, identifying critical viral gene functions and elucidating fundamental replication mechanisms that were previously poorly understood. His pioneering development of reverse genetics techniques for negative-strand RNA viruses enabled precise manipulation of viral genomes, a breakthrough that transformed virology research and became indispensable for modern vaccine development. This groundbreaking methodology allowed his team to successfully reconstruct the extinct 1918 pandemic influenza virus, pinpointing the key genetic determinants responsible for its extraordinary virulence and providing invaluable insights for pandemic preparedness. His research also defined the mechanism of neuraminidase inhibitors, work that directly contributed to the development of FDA-approved antiviral medications now used globally to combat influenza infections.
As a leader in the scientific community, Dr. Palese is on the editorial board for Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) and has authored more than 500 scientific publications that have profoundly shaped virology research worldwide. His laboratory's current efforts focus on developing next-generation universal influenza vaccines that provide long-lasting protection against all viral strains, as well as creating accessible SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. Elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, he has received numerous honors including the prestigious Robert Koch Prize for his transformative contributions to microbiology. Dr. Palese continues to mentor the next generation of virologists while leading cutting-edge research that addresses emerging viral threats, ensuring his legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern virology endures for future generations.
