Bio
David A. Relman, MD is the Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor in Medicine, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. He is also Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, California. Relman was an early pioneer in the modern study of the human indigenous microbiota (microbiome). A landmark paper in 1999 and another in 2005 were among the first to describe the human oral and gut microbiota, respectively, with modern molecular methods. Most recently, his work has focused on human microbial community stability and resilience in the face of experimental perturbation, such as antibiotic exposure. Principles of disturbance and landscape ecology are tested in clinical studies of the human microbiome. Previous work included the development of methods for pathogen discovery, and the identification of several historically important and novel microbial disease agents. He has advised the U.S. Government on emerging infectious diseases, human-microbe interactions, and future biological threats. He served as a founding member of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, a member of the Intelligence Community Studies Board at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Chair of the Boards of Scientific Counselors at the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research and at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, both at NIH, and as President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, a Member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a Member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. He is currently (2024) working as Senior Advisor in the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response policy at The White House.
