Maria S Salvato

Maria S Salvato is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park (2022–present). Her academic career includes positions as Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (2000–2022), Assistant Member at the Research Institute of Scripps Clinic (1985–90), and Staff Scientist at MRC Cambridge (1980–85). Her research focuses on arenaviruses like LCMV and Lassa fever virus, including the discovery of the "Z" protein critical for viral assembly.

• BA in Biology, 1972, summa cum laude, University of California, Los Angeles
• PhD in Molecular Virology, 1977, University of California, Berkeley
• Post-doctoral research with Dr. Christine Guthrie and Dr. Howard M Goodman, University of California, San Francisco (1978–80)

Her work employs animal models to study viral immunology and disease progression, including transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of infected primates. She collaborated on the ML29 live-attenuated Lassa vaccine and ~30 HIV/SIV/SHIV publications with Dr. C. David Pauza. She has participated in NIH study sections and WHO workshops on virology and pandemic threats.

Maria Salvato's career spans molecular virology, pathogenesis, and vaccine development. Current efforts involve mentoring young investigators at the University of Maryland, College Park, while continuing research on viral hemorrhagic fevers and associated host responses.