Joseph C. Glorioso, III, Ph.D., is world-renowned for his work on the molecular and genetic aspects of the herpes simplex virus and how to better engineer this organism as a vector for transporting therapeutic genes.
As chairman of the department of molecular genetics and biochemistry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for the past 11 years, he has attracted numerous high-profile investigators who are pursuing groundbreaking studies on a wide range of biological activities at the molecular level.
Through Dr. Glorioso’s initiative, the department of molecular genetics and biochemistry has gained an international reputation for its expertise in engineering and applying different viral vector systems for gene therapy. Scientists there hold nearly $16 million in funding for investigations into the genetics of and gene therapy for muscular dystrophy, arthritis, inherited metabolic disorders, chronic pain, cancer, juvenile diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Glorioso’s role as an international leader in the field of gene therapy is also recognized by his positions as founder and current vice-president of the American Society of Gene Therapy, editor of Gene Therapy and Molecular Biology, U.S. editor of Gene Therapy, and editorial board member of Molecular Therapy.
He is also active in technology transfer, serving in an advisory capacity to several biotechnology companies, as well as initiating a number of corporate enterprises that have since merged with high-profile, industry leaders.
Dr. Glorioso received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Louisiana State University before joining the University of Michigan Medical School in the late 1970s. There he attained the rank of professor and assistant dean for research and graduate studies. In 1989, he joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in his current position.
Dr. Glorioso, who also holds the McEllroy Professorship in Biochemistry, is the director of the Human Gene Therapy Center at the University of Pittsburgh, a position he has held since the formation of the Center in 1990. In addition, he currently co-directs a Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Center and is associate director for the Center for Cell Therapeutics, both established in Pittsburgh in 2000. His work has led to four issued patents related to his field of research, and he has published 184 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 38 book chapters in the scientific literature.
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