Paul Ahlquist

Paul Ahlquist is the Director of the John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology at the Morgridge Institute and a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, holding appointments in the School of Medicine and Public Health (Department of Oncology), Institute for Molecular Virology, and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (Department of Plant Pathology). He also serves as Associate Director for Basic Sciences at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

• Education:
  • B.S., Physics, Iowa State University
  • Ph.D., Biophysics, University of Wisconsin–Madison

His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of viral replication, gene expression, and pathogenesis, particularly for positive-strand RNA viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), HIV-1, hepatitis B virus, and human papillomavirus. His lab explores virus-host interactions, structural biology of replication complexes, and broad-spectrum antiviral strategies.

Recent publications highlight work on RNA virus replication organelles, HIV transmission mechanisms, HPV-microbiome interactions, and cryo-EM structural analyses. His team uses advanced imaging and genomic approaches to uncover novel therapeutic targets.

• Scientific Awards:
  • NIH MERIT Award
  • NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award
  • Van Arkel Honorary Faculty Chair, Leiden University
  • Hilldale Award in Biological Sciences
  • Member, National Academy of Sciences USA
  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Collaborations span the McArdle Cancer Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and multiple UW-Madison departments. His work emphasizes systems biology approaches to understand viral complexity and develop innovative antiviral solutions.