Michael L. Gross

Michael L. Gross is Professor of Chemistry and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine, where he directs the NIH/NIGMS Mass Spectrometry Resource. He holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota and BA from St. John's University.

His research develops mass spectrometry methods to study protein structures and dynamics, focusing on amyloid aggregation (Alzheimer's), membrane protein conformational changes, viral protein interactions (COVID-19, Ebola), and mRNA structural biology relevant to vaccine development. Core methodologies include FPOP footprinting, HDX-MS, and native mass spectrometry.

Recent publications emphasize structural proteomics innovations for neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis, with emerging applications in mRNA vaccine technology.

Awards:

• John Fenn Award (2020)
• ACS Analytical Chemistry Award (2018)
• AAAS Fellow (2017)

His lab collaborates extensively with biopharma partners and has trained numerous graduate students and postdocs who now work in academia and industry. Current grants support work on protein-ligand interactions and viral protein characterization.