Douglas T Golenbock

Douglas T. Golenbock, MD, is the Neil and Margery Blacklow Chair in Infectious Diseases and Immunology and Professor of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School. He serves as Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and holds joint appointments in Microbiology & Physiological Systems and multiple graduate programs.

Education:

• BS in Science, University of Michigan (1975)
• MD, University of Michigan Medical School (1980)
• Internship & Residency, Internal Medicine, George Washington University Hospital (1980–1983)
• Infectious Diseases Fellowship, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (1984–1986)
• Post-doctoral Fellowships, University of Wisconsin & Merck Research Laboratories (1986–1990)

Research Focus:

Dr. Golenbock’s laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity, particularly the roles of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Nod-like receptors (NLRs) in infectious diseases and sterile inflammation. His work spans bacterial endotoxin sensing, malaria immunopathogenesis, Group B streptococcal infections, and the neuroinflammatory basis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Key Projects:

• TLR4/MD-2 signaling in Gram-negative sepsis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Plasmodium falciparum innate immune recognition and trained immunity
• Group B Streptococcus hemolysin-mediated inflammasome activation
• NLRP3 inflammasome in Alzheimer’s disease pathology
• PSTPIP1 and PAPA syndrome autoinflammation

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• Neil and Margery Blacklow Chair in Infectious Diseases and Immunology
• NIH Merit Award
• Multiple NIH R01 and U19 grants

Leadership & Mentorship:

Dr. Golenbock leads the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and has organized international “Toll” meetings (2004–2011) that convene hundreds of researchers in innate immunity. His lab mentors graduate students, postdocs, and physician-scientists across UMass Chan’s MD/PhD and graduate programs.