David M. Markovitz

David M. Markovitz is a tenured Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. He has maintained continuous faculty appointments at the University since 1988, progressing from Assistant Professor (1988-1994) to Associate Professor with tenure (1994-2002) and ultimately to his current Professor position (2002-present). Dr. Markovitz leads a multidisciplinary research team comprising four additional faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, MD/PhD students, medical students, physicians, public health students, and undergraduates.

Dr. Markovitz's research program spans several interconnected domains in molecular medicine. His laboratory employs diverse methodologies including NMR, crystallography, molecular dynamics modeling, glycoclusters, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and animal models to investigate viral pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic approaches. His work has produced 92 publications and resulted in significant discoveries across multiple fields.

The publication record reveals several major research trajectories: investigations into HIV transcription mechanisms; characterization of the DEK protein's role in cancer and juvenile arthritis; discovery of vimentin as a secreted inflammatory factor; exploration of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in disease pathogenesis; and development of engineered lectins as broad-spectrum antiviral agents. His most notable contribution involves engineering banana lectin (BanLec) through a single amino acid mutation (H84T) that eliminates mitogenicity while preserving antiviral activity against HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, and coronaviruses including SARS and MERS.

Dr. Markovitz has received numerous prestigious awards including the Burroughs Wellcome Clinical Scientist Award (2003), Association of American Physicians membership (2004), and a Transformative R01 from the NIH Office of the Director (2009).

• National Cancer Institute – Clinical Investigator Award (1990)
• Life and Health Insurance Medical Research Fund Scholar (1991)
• American Society for Clinical Investigation (1997)
• Burroughs Wellcome Clinical Scientist Award (2003)
• Association of American Physicians (2004)
• Transformative R01, NIH (2009)
• American Clinical and Climatological Association (2012)

His current research portfolio demonstrates strong funding support across multiple domains. As Principal Investigator, he leads projects including DEK-targeted therapy for juvenile arthritis (Rheumatology Research Foundation), development of H84T BanLec for Ebola/Marburg treatment (DTRA), and lectin-based lung cancer therapy (UM Mi-Kickstart). As Co-PI, he contributes to NIH-funded research on DEK in hematopoiesis and international collaborations studying HERVs in human disease. His mentorship extends to numerous doctoral students, postdocs, and medical trainees who have gone on to independent research careers.

Dr. Markovitz directs a vibrant research ecosystem that includes faculty collaborators Rafael Contreras, Scott Gitlin, and Mark Kaplan. His laboratory maintains extensive collaborations across the University of Michigan and with international partners. The research program bridges basic science discoveries with translational applications, particularly in developing novel therapeutics for viral diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cancer. His work on DEK aptamers and engineered lectins represents promising pathways toward clinical applications in inflammation and infectious disease.