David A. Leib

David A. Leib is Chair and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He also holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Biology. He leads a research laboratory focused on herpes simplex virus (HSV) pathogenesis and host immune interactions, with strong affiliations in Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Molecular Pathogenesis graduate programs.

Education:

• BSc in Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK (1983)
• PhD in Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool, UK (1986)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard University (1987–1990)

Dr. Leib's research centers on the molecular biology of HSV, particularly its ability to evade innate immunity through proteins like ICP34.5 (g34.5), which modulates interferon responses, autophagy, and mitochondrial function. He investigates maternal immunity to HSV and its role in preventing neonatal infections, demonstrating that maternal antibodies can protect against both mortality and neurological complications. His lab has pioneered tools like recombinant BACs and bioluminescence imaging to track viral spread and tropism in real time. He also explores the long-term cognitive and behavioral impacts of asymptomatic neonatal HSV infection.

The recent 15 publications reflect a consistent focus on HSV neurovirulence, latency, immune evasion, maternal-fetal transmission, and therapeutic antibody development. Key themes include the role of ICP34.5 in immune modulation, the importance of antibody effector functions in neonatal protection, and the use of mouse models to study long-term neurological outcomes. His work spans virology, immunology, neuroscience, and translational therapeutics.

Scientific Awards:

• US Patent #5698431: Recombinant viruses as therapeutic vaccines for recurrent HSV

Dr. Leib has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom are co-authors on his publications. He has been Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants, including an NEI R01 (1992–2021) and NIAID R21 (2019–2021), and served as Director of a project within an NIH Program Project on HSV latency. His research has been continuously funded for over three decades, reflecting sustained scientific impact.

He leads the Leib Lab, which develops and applies advanced virological and immunological techniques to study HSV pathogenesis. The lab collaborates widely, particularly with experts in immunology and neuroscience, and contributes to training through graduate programs and mentorship. Future work is likely to expand on therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, mechanisms of viral latency, and the neurodevelopmental consequences of early-life HSV exposure.