Biosketch

Stanley Perlman, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa. He received his B.A. in Physics from the University of Rochester, his Ph.D. from M.I.T. and his M.D. from the University of Miami. He was trained in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Boston Children’s Hospital. He performed postdoctoral training at the University of Edinburgh, Harvard Medical School and Brandeis University. He joined the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa in1983, where he presently holds the position of University of Iowa Distinguished Chair. His research interests are in the pathogenesis, immunology and molecular biology of coronavirus infections, with a special focus on immunopathological disease. He is a member of the VRBPAC of the FDA, the COVID-19 Advisory Committee of the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and the WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 vaccine Composition (TAG-COV-VAC). He is an elected member of National Academy of Sciences, the Association of American Physicians, the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Research Interests

The Perlman laboratory investigates coronavirus pathogenesis, immune responses and molecular biology. His studies initially focused on immune-mediated demyelination in mice infected with murine coronaviruses. His current research efforts have extended to diseases caused by pathogenic human coronaviruses, including SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and COVID-19. His laboratory has developed mouse models useful for studying pathogenesis and for evaluating vaccines and anti-viral therapies. His studies are also directed at understanding why aging is a risk factor for severe coronavirus-induced disease, and the basis of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19. His laboratory investigates neurological disease in mice and patients that have recovered from COVID-19 (PASC, Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19) and in identifying therapeutic options.

Membership Type

Member

Election Year

2025

Primary Section

Section 44: Microbial Biology