Stephen Polyak

Biography

 Stephen Polyak is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology. He also holds adjunct appointments in the Departments of Microbiology and Pathobiology.  Dr. Polyak received his Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Immunology at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1993. Dr. Polyak was appointed to the faculty in February of 2000. Dr. Polyak’s research focuses on the interactions between liver cells and hepatitis C virus (HCV), a global health problem.  The laboratory focuses on innate antiviral responses to HCV, as well as countermeasures used by HCV to thwart the cellular response to virus infection.  Dr. Polyak is the author of over 40 publications, reviews and book chapters.  He was a former recipient of a Liver Scholar Award from the American Liver Foundation, and currently is supported by NIAID, NIDDK and NIAAA.  He is a reviewer and editorial board member for several virology and hepatology journals, a member of study sections nationally (NIH) and internationally (Canadian Institutes for Health Research), and a former and current member of the AASLD Basic Research Committee and Membership Committee, respectively.

Research Interest

 Research on Microbiological and Pathological studies