Richard G Wunderink

Richard G Wunderink, MD is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He maintains clinical affiliations with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and contributes to research through the Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, and Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics.

His educational background includes:

• BS: Calvin College (1975)
• MD: Indiana University (1980)
• Residency: Butterworth Hospital (1983)
• Fellowship: Henry Ford Hospital (1985)

He holds board certification in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Critical Care Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Wunderink's research focuses on improving outcomes for critically ill patients with serious infections, particularly severe community-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. His work integrates host genetic risk factors with clinical management strategies, showing consistent emphasis on precision medicine approaches in critical care. Recent publications demonstrate growing interdisciplinary collaboration between critical care medicine, microbiology, and pharmacokinetic modeling, with increasing focus on noninvasive diagnostics and antibiotic optimization in mechanically ventilated patients.

His scientific contributions have been recognized with:

• "Highly Cited Researchers" List, Clarivate Analytics (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Master Clinician Award, FSM Department of Medicine (2020)
• Kenneth V. Leeper Jr. Memorial Lecture, Emory University (2016)
• Resident Faculty Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine (2011)
• Physician Clinical Excellence Award, Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation (2008)
• Alfred Soffer Research Award, Chest (2003)

Dr. Wunderink serves as Co-chair of the International Respiratory Infections Society and participates in major guideline committees including the ATS/IDSA/ALAT/CTS HAP/VAP management committee. He is an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and holds extensive advisory roles across industry, including Scientific Advisory Board positions at Aurobac Therapeutics, CSL Behring, and Shionogi, and serves as Principal Investigator for Karius Inc and Chair of the NU Data Safety Monitoring Board. His leadership demonstrates deep integration between academic research, clinical practice, and pharmaceutical development in critical care infectious diseases.