Neal Silverman

Neal Silverman is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His primary appointments include the Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and the Department of Microbiology. He also holds roles in the Immunology and Microbiology Program, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, MD/PhD Program, and Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program. Silverman completed his BA in Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley and his PhD in Biology at MIT.

His research focuses on innate immunity, particularly using Drosophila as a model system to study host-pathogen interactions, immune signaling pathways, and microbial recognition. Key areas include peptidoglycan sensing, NF-κB regulation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying antiviral and antibacterial defenses. His work bridges microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology, with implications for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Selected awards include the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation Innovator Award. His research has explored topics such as CRISPR-based host factor editing for influenza, psoriasis treatment via SLC46A2 inhibition, and immune responses to pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania amazonensis. The Silverman Lab’s contributions emphasize translational approaches to understanding and combating infectious diseases.

Scientific achievements include over 150 publications, with recent work addressing innate immune modulation, nanoparticle drug delivery for cancer, and the role of antimicrobial peptides in neurodegenerative diseases. He has been recognized for excellence in graduate education and curriculum development, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of biomedical scientists.