Welcome!

The Helen C. Levitt Center for Viral Pathogenesis and Disease serves as a living memorial to Ms. Levitt whose gift supports, in perpetuity, interdisciplinary activities that enhance our understanding of viruses and human disease. Our collective research strives reveal mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, develop new approaches to viral disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and improve professional and public understanding of the nature and impact of viral diseases.

Our Mission

The Helen C. Levitt Center for Viral Pathogenesis and Disease stands on three mission pillars of research, education, and service. The Center integrates the research, educational, and patient care efforts of over 30 faculty in five separate collegiate units within The University of Iowa (Medicine, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Public Health, and the University Hygienic Laboratory). In the Carver College of Medicine, faculty from 7 different departments are represented: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Internal Medicine, Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Surgery. Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Department of Biological Sciences), College of Business (Department of Management Sciences), and the State Hygienic Laboratory are also represented in its membership.

With related activities carried out by faculty in so many administrative units, the Levitt Center for Viral Pathogenesis and Disease serves as a focus to promote cooperative efforts in the study of viral diseases throughout the University and supports development of research, educational initiatives, and innovative approaches to patient care.