University of Iowa names new microbiology head

Patrick Schlievert will be the new head of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, officials said this week.

The appointment, pending approval by the state Board of Regents, begins July 1.

Schlievert is a professor of microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He will assume leadership of the department from Dr. Michael Apicella, who has been head of microbiology at the UI for 18 years. Apicella will continue as a professor in the department and will retain his appointment as senior associate dean for scientific affairs with the Carver College of Medicine.

Schlievert's research focuses on bacterial toxins made by the Staphylococcus aureus and group A streptococci that are responsible for toxic shock syndrome, heart infections (endocarditis), pneumonia and various types of food poisoning. He specifically studies the genetic mechanisms controlling production of the toxins, and how the toxins exert their detrimental effect on the immune system.

Schlievert is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, including University of Minnesota's top teaching award - the Professional Teaching Award in 2001. He also has authored and co-authored over 300 scientific papers. In addition, Schlievert is a co-founder of two biotechnology companies.

Schlievert is a UI alumnus. He received a bachelor's degree in general science (geology) and a doctoral degree in microbiology from the UI. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota and subsequently joined the microbiology and immunology faculty at the University of California at Los Angeles before returning to the University of Minnesota as a faculty member in 1981.