Bio
David A. Relman, MD is the Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor in Medicine, and 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 assembly, and community stability and resilience. 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 is a member of the Intelligence Community Studies Board at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and served as 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 (2012-2013). He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, and a Member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Academic Appointments
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Professor, Medicine - Infectious Diseases
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Professor, Microbiology & Immunology
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Member, Bio-X
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Senior Fellow, Center for International Security and Cooperation
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Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Member, Center for Computational, Evolutionary and Human Genomics (2018 - Present)
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Faculty Fellow, Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University (2015 - Present)
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Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University (2013 - Present)
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Chief, Infectious Diseases Section, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (2002 - Present)
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Chair, Administrative Panel on Biosafety, Stanford University (2001 - 2018)
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Co-Director, Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), Stanford University (2013 - 2017)
Honors & Awards
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Special Achievement Award, 2020 Miami Winter Symposium, University of Miami (2020)
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Walsh McDermott Medal, National Academy of Medicine (2020)
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NIH Transformative Research Award, NIH (2013)
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Member, Institute of Medicine, National Academies of Science (2011-)
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Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2010)
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Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor, Stanford University (2009-)
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Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (2006)
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NIH Director's Pioneer Award, NIH (2006)
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Kinyoun Lecturer, NIAID/NIH (2005)
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Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2003)
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Senior Scholar Award in Global Infectious Diseases, Ellison Medical Foundation (2002)
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Squibb Award, Infectious Diseases Society of America (2001)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Member, Committee on Data Needs to Monitor Evolution of SARS-CoV-2, National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2020 - Present)
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Member, Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2020 - Present)
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Chair, Standing Committee to Advise the Department of State on Unexplained Health Effects on US Government Employees and their Families at Overseas Embassies, National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2019 - Present)
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Member, Intelligence Community Studies Board, National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2016 - Present)
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Member (Chair, 2018-2019), Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH (2015 - 2019)
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Member, Working Group on Biodefense President?s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, The White House (2015 - 2016)
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Member, Working Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, President?s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2014 - 2014)
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Member, Committee on Science, Technology and Law, National Academy of Science (2012 - 2017)
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President, Infectious Diseases Society of America (2012 - 2013)
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Chair, Forum on Microbial Threats, Institute of Medicine (National Academies of Science) (2007 - 2017)
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Member, Science, Technology, and Engineering Advisory Panel, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2007 - 2017)
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Member, National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (2005 - 2014)
Professional Education
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S.B., M.I.T., Biology (1977)
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M.D., Harvard Medical School, Medicine (1982)
Community and International Work
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Chief Medical Officer, Rock Medicine, Haight-Ashbury Medical Clinics
Topic
Free medical care at concerts and large public events
Partnering Organization(s)
Haight-Ashbury Medical Clinics
Location
International
Ongoing Project
No
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes