Jack Lenz

Jack Lenz, Ph.D., is a Professor in both the Department of Genetics and the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His research focuses on retroviruses, particularly human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), their evolution, roles in normal biological functions, and their involvement in diseases. Key areas include retrovirus gene expression, the pathological effects of viral DNA integration into host genomes, and the interplay between viruses and cancer.

His research interests span virology, genetics, and molecular biology, with a focus on understanding how retroviruses contribute to disease mechanisms. Notable work includes studies on HERV-K diversity among humans and the oncogenic potential of HPV70 in cervical cancer.

His publications highlight contributions to understanding HERV-K transcription under radiation exposure, HERV-K genetic diversity, and viral insertion-driven oncogenesis. He holds no listed awards but maintains active research collaborations and academic leadership roles.