Andrea Amalfitano

High tech meets high hopes.

Alumnus, 1984, 1990, and Faculty
East Lansing, Michigan

As a physician and scientist, Andrea Amalfitano knows that although cures may not exist for the illnesses he encounters in his patients, all hope is not lost.

“Hope plays an important role and, in fact, it’s one that consumes me,” says Amalfitano, who received bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in microbiology and a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Michigan State.

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowed Chair in MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Amalfitano divides his time between his clinic, where he sees patients, and his lab, where he develops gene-transfer technologies that are used not only to treat genetic diseases but also to attack other diseases—from malaria to colon cancer to HIV/AIDS.

According to Amalfitano, spending time with patients is critical to understanding the intricacies of an illness.

“If I was strictly in the laboratory, I personally just think I would not have a clue about many of the conditions or the diseases that I’m attempting to treat right now based on our research,” says Amalfitano. “I’m constantly learning new things from my patients.”