Stephen Dewhurst serve as the Vice President for Research for the University of Rochester (UR) and Vice Dean for Research at the UR School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD). Past administrative roles include those of department chair (2009-2021), SMD Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research (2007-2009) and codirector of UR’s Center for AIDS Research (2008-2020).
He has >30 years’ experience in virology research, and is a former NIH study section chair and permanent NIH study section member. His current research interests include: (1) understanding the neuropathogenesis of HIV infection, and developing a novel humanized mouse model for HIV infection of the CNS, (2) the development of vaccines and small molecule therapeutics for viral pathogens, including HIV and influenza; (3) studies of innate immune responses to viral pathogens, including LAIV and SARS-CoV-2.