Peter Palese is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Microbiology of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a position which he has held since 1987.

He is an international leader in the study of viruses that cause respiratory disease in humans. His emphasis has been on viruses that use RNA rather than DNA as their genetic material. His research to understand the structure and function of these viruses, how they interact with host cells and how they reproduce, continues to lead to the development of antiviral compounds and vaccines. Palese has received a number of awards for his professional achievements. In 2000 he was elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors that can be accorded to a U.S. scientist.

Palese holds a master's of Science in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Vienna, Austria.

• Biological Agents from Nature and Elsewhere (published in OSTina Voices , July 31, 2003) Peter Palese was also featured in "bridges" vol. 13, April 16, 2007 Introducing Peter Palese -- Pharmacy Leads to Virology Leads to Mount Sinai .