Michael S. Diamond, M.D., Ph.D.

Herbert S. Gasser Professor
Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology & Immunology
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Areas of interest: molecular basis of disease of globally emerging RNA viruses, interface between pathogenesis and host immunity, development of antiviral therapeutic antibodies and vaccines against both flaviviruses and alphaviruses.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024
3 p.m.
In-person CEC (Cudworth) Room 102
Reception to follow, lobby BBRB

Title: "Alphavirus receptor interactions: new insights into the first step in the virus infection cycle"

Susan Roberts Dubay Endowment

Susan Roberts Dubay came to UAB in 1982 and began a career in medical research in the lab of Dr. Eric Hunter, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and the founding Director of the UAB Center of AIDS Research. Susan quickly took a leadership role in the lab, and she and her colleagues were recognized internationally for their work in defining the molecular events involved in retroviral assembly and for elucidating the structure/function relationships for retroviral gene products at a molecular level.  Susan co-authored numerous articles that were published in leading national research journals. Her research efforts helped advance the scientific knowledge that is necessary for the development of an effective HIV vaccine.

Susan had a positive impact on many graduate students as she trained and guided them with a gentle, kind and caring attitude in their earlier years. She was a remarkably happy and joyful person, and students and colleagues turned to her time and again for advice and help both in their professional and personal lives.

The endowment was established by Susan’s husband, Dr. John W. Dubay, her two brothers Dr. John R. Roberts and Mr. James D. Roberts, and other family members and friends as a way to pay perpetual tribute to Mrs. Dubay and all those she touched throughout her life. This endowment is to support microbiology graduate students through lectures and other educational activities serving always as a reminder of the tremendous positive impact Mrs. Dubay had on numerous graduate students during her time at UAB.

The Department of Microbiology and the whole UAB research community are deeply grateful to the Dubay family for their continued generosity in providing resources to bring truly outstanding scientists to Birmingham and UAB.