David Morens
David Morens | |
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| Born | 1947 (age 78–79) United States |
| Education | University of Michigan (BA, MD) |
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David M. Morens is an American physician-scientist, medical historian and former Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).[1] A career officer in the United States Public Health Service, he has investigated outbreaks from Ebola and Lassa fever to COVID-19 and publishes widely on viral pathogenesis and the history of pandemics.[2][3][4] In 2026, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly concealing federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Morens earned an A.B. in psychology (1969) and an M.D. (1973) from the University of Michigan.[1] He completed pediatrics residency at the UCSF School of Medicine and fellowship training in pediatric infectious diseases, becoming board-certified in Pediatrics (1978) and Preventive Medicine (1980).[3]
Career
[edit]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1976 – 1982)
[edit]Commissioned into the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Morens set up national surveillance for Reye syndrome and Kawasaki disease and co-discovered the Snow Mountain strain of norovirus.[3] Stationed in Sierra Leone from 1979 to 1981, he ran clinical trials of ribavirin for Lassa fever and led epidemiologic field studies.[1] He later headed CDC's Respiratory & Special Pathogens Branch and directed the laboratory arm of the agency's first national AIDS case-control study.[3]
University of Hawaiʻi (1982 – 1998)
[edit]At the University of Hawaiʻi, Morens was Professor of Tropical Medicine, Chair of Epidemiology, and laboratory director of dengue-virus projects funded by WHO and NIH. His group developed a BHK-21 neutralization assay still used for flaviviruses.[7] During this period he also published historical analyses of epidemics ranging from the Plague of Athens to 20th-century influenza.[8]
NIAID (1998 – 2025)
[edit]From 1998 to 2025, Morens advised successive NIAID directors on emerging-disease policy and pandemic preparedness.[2] He co-authored influential papers advocating universal coronavirus vaccines[9] and conducted research on viral host-switching and disease pathogenesis in NIAID's Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Laboratory.[1]
Selected works
[edit]- Morens, D.M.; Fauci, A.S. (2007). "The 1918 influenza pandemic: insights for the 21st century". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 195 (7): 1018–1028. doi:10.1086/511989. PMID 17330793.
- Morens, D.M.; Taubenberger, J.K. (2006). "1918 Influenza: the mother of all pandemics". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 12 (1): 15–22. doi:10.3201/eid1209.05-0979. PMC 3291398. PMID 16494711.
- McCormick, J.B.; Morens, D.M. (1986). "Clinical observations and virologic studies of patients with Lassa fever treated with ribavirin". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 155 (3): 445–455. doi:10.1093/infdis/155.3.445. PMID 4026390.
Professional service and honors
[edit]- President, American Epidemiological Society (2008–2009)[10]
- Chair, American Committee on Arthropod-Borne & Zoonotic Viruses (1999–2001)[11]
- Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene[12]
- Recipient, U.S. Public Health Service Meritorious & Outstanding Service Medals; DHHS Distinguished Service Award[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "David M. Morens, M.D. – Senior Advisor to the NIAID Director" (PDF). US Congress. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ a b "NIH scientist: "It's time to get really serious" about a universal COVID vaccine". Government Executive. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Editors – *Emerging Infectious Diseases*" (PDF). US Congress. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Editors – *Emerging Infectious Diseases*" (PDF). US Congress. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Office of Public Affairs | Former Senior NIAID Official Indicted for Concealing Federal Records During COVID-19 Pandemic | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2026-04-28. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
- ^ Mueller, Benjamin (2026-04-28). "Grand Jury Indicts Former N.I.H. Official". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
- ^ Morens, DM; Halstead, SB; Repik, PM; Putvatana, R; Raybourne, N (1985). "Simplified plaque reduction neutralization assay for dengue viruses by semimicro methods in BHK-21 cells: comparison of the BHK suspension test with standard plaque reduction neutralization". J Clin Microbiol. 22: 250–4. doi:10.1128/jcm.22.2.250-254.1985. PMC 268369. PMID 4031038.
- ^ Morens, D.M.; Littman, R.J. (1992). "Epidemiology of the Plague of Athens". Transactions of the American Philological Association. 122: 271–304. doi:10.2307/284374. JSTOR 284374.
- ^ Morens, D.M.; Taubenberger, J.K.; Fauci, A.S. (2022). "Universal coronavirus vaccines — an urgent need". New England Journal of Medicine. 386 (4): 297–299. doi:10.1056/NEJMp2118468. PMC 11000439. PMID 34910863.
- ^ "Past Presidents – American Epidemiological Society". American Epidemiological Society. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Past Chairs – American Committee on Arthropod-Borne & Zoonotic Viruses". American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Www. Ushealthconnect. Com, Home -. "David M. Morens, MD – ReachMD Contributor Profile". ReachMD. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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