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David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and the George and Carol Bauer Dean of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will conclude his leadership on June 30, 2026, as noted by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. He will continue his role on the WashU Medicine faculty as the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and will also maintain his leadership in commercial development as a senior advisor to the chancellor for innovation and commercialization.

Following 10 years at the helm of the medical school, Perlmutter will redirect his attention to two key projects: the establishment of his autophagy therapeutics company and, most importantly, the founding of the Washington University Development Corporation (DevCo). Developed in tandem with faculty, pharmacy industry experts, venture capitalists, and WashU trustees, DevCo is a groundbreaking model for drug discovery aimed at swiftly and effectively identifying and promoting promising WashU research, bypassing the traditional “valley of death.” Amid significant national uncertainty, this represents a potential new avenue for funding research at WashU.

“David Perlmutter has demonstrated exemplary service to Washington University — as a physician, researcher, and visionary dean,” Martin stated. “His profound dedication to medical research and humane clinical care has influenced the trajectory of medicine and the lives of numerous patients. Under his direction, our medical school has prospered, propelling scientific discovery and education to the highest standards. I am deeply appreciative of his contributions as dean and anticipate collaborating with him in his forthcoming role as senior advisor for innovation and commercialization, where his expertise and enthusiasm will be pivotal in advancing the future of translational science and discovery. His knowledge and counsel will remain crucial in furthering our mission to enhance human health through innovation.”

A celebrated pediatric physician-scientist, Perlmutter was appointed dean in 2015. He previously held the distinguished professor and chair position within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, as well as physician-in-chief and scientific director at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Prior to joining the faculty at Pitt in 2001, he dedicated 15 years as a member of the Department of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine. He initiated his academic career as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School in 1983.

Under Perlmutter’s stewardship, WashU Medicine has evolved into one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions, boasting a $3.9 billion operating budget, a $1.2 billion yearly investment in fundamental and clinical medicine research, and one of the largest academic clinical practice entities in the country. Its faculty includes 16 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 28 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 12 investigators with NIH MERIT status.

Several noteworthy advancements at WashU Medicine during Perlmutter’s tenure as dean include:

• Development of new research facilities. These comprise the Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building, one of the globe’s largest facilities focused solely on neuroscience research; a six-story addition to the Steven and Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health; and a newly constructed state-of-the-art building devoted exclusively to outpatient cancer care.
• No. 2 in NIH funding. WashU Medicine ranks No. 2 in the nation for funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH); total NIH awards of $683 million in fiscal year 2024 positioned the school at No. 1 among the top 10 nationwide in growth rate over a decade.
• Research progress. Over the past ten years, WashU Medicine has achieved substantial strides in understanding and developing treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and various other disorders that impact human health.
• Philanthropic contributions. By tapping into substantial donations such as the BJC Investigators Program; the Personalized Medicine Initiative, initially supported by Centene Corp.; and other significant donations and corporate partnerships, the institution provides ample funding for high-risk, high-impact projects aimed at delivering new diagnostics and therapeutic approaches on an urgent basis.
• Clinical growth. The faculty practice of WashU Medicine has expanded its footprint throughout the region, enhancing its dedication to safety-net care across Missouri and Southern Illinois.
• Collaboration with BJC Health. A new 45-year affiliation agreement has transformed the partnership, enabling it to lead the regional medical landscape more effectively for years to come.
• Curriculum enhancement and medical student scholarships. Financial investment in improved educational programming and opportunities has bolstered the legacy of attracting the most talented MD, MD-PhD, and PhD students, residents, and fellows in the nation.

“WashU Medicine possesses a community of faculty, staff, and trainees that combines a unique blend of intelligence, ambition, warmth, and humility,” Perlmutter remarked. “I have cherished these past 10 years collaborating with that community to further advance our contributions to medical science and care. I especially wish to convey my gratitude to both past and current members of the Executive Faculty who have been instrumental in driving the remarkable growth and success of our faculty and institution.”

Perlmutter is internationally acclaimed for his research on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (ATD), a hereditary disorder that may result in severe liver damage. His research has led to advancements in comprehending how cells eliminate misfolded proteins that cause cellular dysfunction, along with the creation of a pipeline of ATD medications that could potentially negate the necessity for liver transplants in affected individuals. Since these drugs enhance autophagy—a cellular degradation process vital for the functionality of all cells and that diminishes with age—they also represent strong potential candidates for preventing cognitive decline and other degenerative age-related diseases.

A graduate of the University of Rochester, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology, Perlmutter earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and his pediatric gastroenterology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, former president of the Society for Pediatric Research, and a past member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the E. Mead Johnson Award for Research in Pediatrics from the American Pediatric Society and the Sass-Kortsak Award for Pediatric Liver Research from the Canadian Liver Association. He has authored over 200 scientific papers and holds 10 U.S. patents or patent applications.

The university will initiate a national search for Perlmutter’s successor in the coming months. Information about the search process and how members of the WashU community can engage and provide feedback will be communicated shortly.

The post Perlmutter to conclude deanship in 2026 appeared first on The Source.

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