Dr. David Montefiori

Professor

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Biography

David Charles Montefiori is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, where he also serves as a member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and as the Director of the Laboratory for HIV COVID-19 Vaccine Research & Development. His research primarily focuses on viral immunology and the development of vaccines for HIV and COVID-19, with a special emphasis on neutralizing antibodies. Montefiori's laboratory investigates various aspects of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies, including mechanisms of neutralization escape, epitope diversity, and the geographic distribution of viral subtypes. His work aims to identify the requirements for eliciting protective neutralizing antibodies through vaccination and to develop optimal combinations for immunoprophylaxis. Additionally, he oversees large-scale vaccine immune monitoring programs funded by the NIH and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which comply with Good Clinical Laboratory Practices. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has shifted his attention to SARS-CoV-2, particularly the impact of emerging variants on transmission and vaccine efficacy. Montefiori's contributions to the field include publishing over 750 original research papers that have significantly influenced the scientific understanding of antibody-based vaccines.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

1988-01-01 — Present

Duke University Medical Center • Durham, NC

Serving as Professor in the Department of Surgery, directing research and development in vaccines for HIV and COVID-19.

Requirements for Duke University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Multivariable Calculus Introduction to Physics (mechanics) Introduction to Chemistry
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Biomedical Engineering (MS program)