David A. Relman

David A. Relman 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. An early pioneer in the modern study of the human microbiome, Relman is the author of landmark papers that were among the first to describe the human oral and gut microbiota with molecular methods. His research has focused on human microbial community assembly; community stability and resilience; 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 has served as Chair of the Forum on Microbial Threats at the National Academy of Medicine, and as President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). He currently serves on the Defense Science Board at the Department of Defense, and the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Beginning in May, 2024, Relman joined the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response policy in the Executive Office of the President (The White House) as a Senior Advisor. Relman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, a Member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a recipient of the Alexander Fleming Award from the IDSA and the Walsh McDermott Medal of the National Academy of Medicine.