Virologist and National Academy of Sciences Member Michael Oldstone to Present Lecture at UA

Dr. Michael B.A. Oldstone, a National Academy of Sciences member and a UA visiting professor, will present “Ebola: The Current Plague and Crisis,” on the UA campus Oct. 22. The lecture will be held in 205 Smith Hall at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Oldstone, a professor and head of the viral-immunobiology laboratory in the department of immunology and microbial science at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, is an expert on viruses that cause infections, including hemorrhagic fever. He is the author of the book “Viruses, Plagues, and History,” which addresses a number of global events precipitated by viruses and mortal illnesses.

In his lecture, he will discuss the current hemorrhagic fever outbreak in West Africa, including Ebola, and what the outbreak means in terms of plague and the fear of plague during crises.

Oldstone, a UA alumnus, began an appointment as a visiting professor at UA and scholar-in-residence in the department of biological sciences in 2009. He was one of 72 scientists in 2008 elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the most prestigious honor societies in the world recognizing scientists who have made monumental achievements in original research.

He is considered to be one of the top experts in viral biology and immunology worldwide and has received many national and international awards. He was a consultant for the treatment and eradication of viral diseases for the World Health Organization.

He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from UA, an M.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Ph.D. studies at Johns Hopkins University. Oldstone is spending the week of Oct. 20 at UA lecturing and consulting with students and faculty members on research projects.