Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, IA, United States
Dr. Perlman obtained a Ph.D. in Biophysics from M.I.T. and an M.D. from the University of Miami. He completed residency and pediatric infectious diseases training at the Boston Children’s Hospital. He joined the faculty at the University of Iowa in 1983. His laboratory studies the pathogenesis of human and murine coronavirus infections and the host immune responses to these viruses. The laboratory has developed mouse models for SARS, MERS and COVID-19, including the development of mouse-adapted viruses that cause severe disease in mice and cause chronic disease with manifestations of PASC (Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19). His laboratory has also developed reverse genetics system for murine coronaviruses, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV genomes. The ultimate goal of the work is to understand the interplay of pro and anti-inflammatory factors that result in demyelination and lung destruction. SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV cause especially severe infections in aged populations. Mice infected with murine adapted strains of SARS-CoV-2 are used to understand the basis of severe diseases in aged hosts. SARS-CoV-2 causes neurological disease including anosmia in mice and humans. Dr. Perlman also serves on the VRBPAC (Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee) of the FDA, the WHO strain selection committee (TAG-CO-VAC) and the COVID Advisory Committee of the ACIP. These committees provide advice on vaccine approval (VRBPAC, TAG-C0-VAC), as well as on vaccine usage in different populations (COVID-19 Advisory Committee).
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose.
Monday, October 20, 2025
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM US ET
240 - Neurological Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Humans and Mice
Monday, October 20, 2025
3:40 PM - 4:05 PM US ET