Robert P. Ricciardi, MA, PhD

Professional Biography

Dr. Ricciardi’s research interests involve understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral tumorigenesis and disease. A recent discovery reveals that one viral protein (E1A-12) exerts control over NF-kB, the master regulator of the immune system. These studies are leading to novel ways of controlling inflammation and cancers. The discoveries of processivity factors that enable DNA synthesis of the human viruses, HHV-6 and KSHV (the causal agent of malignancy in AIDS) are leading to the development of antiviral therapies. Additional antiviral therapy work has led to early candidate compounds that prevent replication of vaccinia virus, the cousin of the bioterroristic threatening small poxvirus. Dr. Ricciardi’s teaching responsibilities for Penn Dental Medicine include the Virology course and a Division of Advanced Dental Education course.

Honors / Credentials

• American Cancer Postdoctoral Fellow, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 1977-78
• NIH National Cancer Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 1979-80 Charles A. King Trust Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 1980-81
• Boston University – Biology /English Honors
• Chemistry Teacher, Lisbon High School, Lisbon, NH
• NATO Visiting Professorship, Ferrara Medical School, Ferrara, Italy (1986)
• Vice Provost Recognition of Graduate Student Teaching at U. Penn. (1998)
• Sigma Xi Society; New York Academy of Sciences ASM. ASAS, UCS
• Chair, Graduate Group Program in Microbiology & Virology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 1993-1997
• Chair, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 2007-present”

Selected Publications

Education

• Boston University, Boston, MA B.A. 1968
• College of William and Mary, VA M.A. 1973
• University of Illinois, Urbana, IL Ph.D. 1977

Website:

Ricciardi Lab