INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER
Prof Michael Gale Jnr
UMN Institute on Infectious Diseases (UMIID), University of Minnesota, USA
Michael Gale, Jr., PhD is Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the UMN Institute on Infectious Diseases (UMIID) at the University of Minnesota. He leads faculty advancing basic and translational research in immunology, virology, mycology, bacteriology, microbial genetics, and systems biology, while guiding UMIID in identifying and responding to emerging infectious diseases and training future epidemic and pandemic response experts.
Dr. Gale joined UMN in 2024, having earned his PhD in Pathobiology from the University of Washington. He previously held faculty positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Washington, where he founded and directed the Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, co-founded the UW Institute for Translational Immunology, and served as an affiliate investigator at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
His laboratory studies innate immune recognition and response to RNA viruses, HIV, and other pathogens, defining molecular mechanisms that inform vaccine development, adjuvant design, and novel therapies. He has mentored more than 50 scientists now leading in academia, clinical research, and industry.
A top 1% highly cited microbiology researcher since 2014, Dr. Gale’s honors include the Milstein Award, election to the American Academy of Microbiology, and recognition among “50 Change Makers in Public Health” (2022).