UB Parasitologist Appointed Chair of NIH Study Section

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Philip LoVerde, professor of microbiology at the University at Buffalo, has been appointed chair of the Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section, Division of Research Grants, of the National Institutes of Health.

Director of the UB Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, LoVerde has distinguished himself in the field of parasitology. He has devoted his career to studying and developing a vaccine for schistosomiasis, a virulent disease caused by blood flukes called schistosomes, which kills 800,000 people annually, many of whom contract the disease as children.

He has been collaborating with the Egyptian government for several years to help train Egyptian scientists in parasitology and schistosomiasis research. The disease is particularly severe in Egypt, where one-third to one-fifth of the population is thought to be infected.

NIH study sections review grant applications, make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory council or board, and survey the status of research in their fields of science. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated excellence and achievement, evidenced by the quality of their research accomplishments, publications and other recognition of skill within their field.

LoVerde joined the faculty of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as an assistant professor in 1981 after serving on the faculty at Purdue University. A recipient of the Henry Baldwin Ward Medal -- the highest award presented by the American Society of Parasitologists -- LoVerde has spoken widely throughout the world and has written more than 100 abstracts, articles, books and book chapters. He also has served as editor of Experimental Parasitology and as a member of the editorial board of Microbial Pathogenesis.

A Williamsville resident, LoVerde holds a bachelor's degree in zoology, a master's degree in wildlife management and master's and doctoral degrees in epidemiologic science, all from the University of Michigan.