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Overview

Sallie Permar, M.D., Ph.D is an eminent physician-scientist who focuses on the treatment and prevention of neonatal viral infections. She serves as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and Pediatrician-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital.  She is also the Nancy C. Paduano Professor in Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and Professor of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis at the Weill Cornell Graduate School.

As a physician-scientist focusing on the prevention and treatment of neonatal viral infections, Dr. Permar leads a research laboratory investigating immune protection against vertical transmission of neonatal viral pathogens, namely HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV).  She has made important contributions to the development of vaccines for prevention of vertical HIV transmission, defining both innate and adaptive immune responses that are associated with protection against infant HIV acquisition.  Moreover, Dr. Permar is leading the development of HIV vaccine strategies in preclinical maternal/infant nonhuman primate models and translation of this work for clinical vaccine trials in infants. Dr. Permar has also defined determinants of congenital and perinatal CMV transmission, developing the first nonhuman primate model of congenital CMV infection and leading human cohort studies that have defined immune correlates of protection necessary to guide vaccine development. 

Highlights

  1. 1
    The Journal of infectious diseases · 2024
    KKKrithika KarthigeyanLMLinda M GerberSPSallie Permar
    PMID: 38324766PMCID: PMC11326847DOISenior author82 citations
  2. 2
    Science immunology · 2024
    ANAshley NelsonPKP.J. KlasseJPJohn P MooreRWRogier W SandersSPSallie Permar
    PMID: 39213340PMCID: PMC12302664DOISenior author21 citations
  3. 3
    The Journal of clinical investigation · 2022
    GFGenevieve FoudaSPSallie Permar
    PMID: 35763348PMCID: PMC9374380DOISenior author53 citations

Publications

316 publications

Funding

63 grantsView NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

27 grants
  • MPI
    Evolving bnAb B cell lineages via OMV-displayed multivalent prime-boost strategies in early life for long term HIV protection
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2026–2031
    R01AI203537-01
  • KP
    Columbia University-Weill Cornell Medicine CFAR (CU-WCM CFAR)
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2026–2031 · via Columbia University
    P30AI191337-01A1
  • Sub-PI
    Understanding the mechanisms of maternal antibody interference with rotavirus vaccination
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2026–2031 · via Cornell University - Ithaca
    R01AI189774-01A1
  • Co-I
    An early life multivalent immunization strategy for induction of neutralization breadth
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2025–2030
    U01AI192448-02
  • MPI
    Translating germline-targeting HIV Env SOSIP immunization of infants: targeting bnAbs in early life
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2025–2030
    P01AI189362-02
  • PI
    Pediatric Scientist Development Program
    Warren Alpert Foundation · 2025–2029
    WAF 253062-02
  • PI
    Immunologic strategies to prevent congenital cytomegalovirus transmission and disease in rhesus monkeys
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2029· 2 renewals
    P01AI129859-09
  • PI
    CMV Immune Correlates to infection
    Pfizer Inc. · 2025–2028Contract
    SRA 246004-01
  • PI
    Development of a microfluidic, anticoagulation-free silicon membrane oxygenator for an Artificial Placenta (PSDP Scholar: Jacqueline Kading)
    March of Dimes · 2026–2028
    MOD 264630-01
  • PI
    2024 - 2026 Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP) Full Scholar Support
    Burroughs Wellcome Fund · 2026–2028
    BWF 1329075
  • PI
    Regulation of Cardiac Atrial Myocyte Glycogen Metabolism by the γ2-Subunit of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase: Pathogenic Implications in the Development of Early Onset Atrial Arrhythmogenesis (PSDP Scholar: Cicero Willis-Pineda)
    American Heart Association · 2026–2028
    AHA 264655-01
  • Co-I
    Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on respiratory viral immune responses in children with and without asthma
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2028
    R01AI173504-04
  • PI
    Pediatric Scientist Development Program
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020–2028Career· 3 renewals
    K12HD000850-42
  • MPI
    Tri-I Stimulating Access to Research in Residency program (Tri-I StARR - NIAID)
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2028
    R38AI174255-01
  • MPI
    Determinants of HIV broadly-neutralizing antibody precursor induction in infants- Admin Core
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2028 · via University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    P01AI178377-04
  • Sub-PI
    Determinants of HIV broadly-neutralizing antibody precursor induction in infants- Core Budget
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2028 · via University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    No publications yet
    P01Al178377-04
  • PI
    Identifying and modeling immune correlates of protection against congenital CMV transmission after primary maternal infection
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2028
    R01AI173333-04
  • Sub-PI
    America's SHIELD: Strategic Herpesvirus Immune Evasion and Latency Defense, through an AI/ML toolkit for broad genus-level immunity to chronic disease and cancer
    Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health · 2024–2027 · via La Jolla Institute
    No publications yet
    AY1AX000055-03
  • PI
    Immune correlates against congenital Cytomegalovirus transmission Kenya
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · 2026–2027
    INV-099498
  • PI
    PSDP 2025 (Scholar: Jonathan Knowlton) Mechanisms of injury, immunity, and repair in neonatal viral lung disease
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation · 2025–2027
    CFF 253830-02
  • MPI
    Early life B cell responses and inflammation following SARS-CoV-2 infection
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2027· 2 renewals
    R01AI161008-02
  • PI
    Role of maternal-fetal interface NK cells in pregnancy maintenance and congenital CMV transmission
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2022–2027
    R01HD103721-05
  • PI
    Escape of maternal plasma broadly neutralizing antibody as a mechanism of mother to child HIV transmission
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2026
    R01AI162245-04
  • PI
    Research Collaboration Agreement with Kamada Ltd.
    Kamada Ltd. · 2026–2026BioPharma Alliance
    BP 261022-01
  • Sub-PI
    Pediatric Adolescent Virus Eradiation (PAVE) Martin Delaney Collaboratory
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2026 · via The Johns Hopkins University
    No publications yet
    UM1AI645566-02
  • PI
    Early Life Vaccination to Prevent HIV Acquisition During Adolescence
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2026· 2 renewals
    P01AI117915-07
  • KP
    Viral Fc receptors as vaccine antigens for prevention of congenital CMV
    Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Inc. · 2024–2025
    MMRF 232610-01
Completed grants (36)
  • Co-I
    Pandemic Response Repository Microbial and Immune Surveillance and Epidemiology (PREMISE): Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) Pilot Study - Option Period Three
    National Cancer Institute · 2024–2025 · via University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
    21X192Q (HHSN261201500003I)
  • PI
    Improving HCMV vaccine-elicited immunity by targeting viral Fc receptors
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023–2025
    R21AI176451-02
  • PI
    PSDP 2023 (Scholar: Bob Sun) Volatile Organic Compound Exposure and Respiratory Morbidity in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation · 2023–2025
    CFF 242364-02
  • PI
    PSDP 2022 (Scholar: Jessica Ruiz) Leveraging Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Define Dysglycemia Induced by Celiac Enteropathy and Parenteral Nutrition
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation · 2022–2025
    PERMAR22B-PSDP1
  • PI
    Development of viral Fc receptor targeting vaccines for prevention of congenital CMV
    Daedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2023–2024BioPharma Alliance
    DFI 233585-01
  • PI
    Enhancing rotavirus vaccine efficacy through strategies to evade maternal antibody interference in novel preclinical models
    Cornell University - Ithaca · 2023–2024
    Seed Grant 228393
  • KP
    Maternal Interference of Infant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination
    Thrasher Research Fund · 2022–2024
    TRF 221883-02
  • Co-I
    Pandemic Response Repository Microbial and Immune Surveillance and Epidemiology (PREMISE): Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) Pilot Study - Option Period Two
    National Cancer Institute · 2023–2024 · via University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
    21X192Q (HHSN261201500003I)
  • Sub-PI
    Zika-infected rhesus monkey samples for antibody responses by plasma ELISA and B-Cell PCR
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2020–2024 · via University of Wisconsin
    P01AI132132-05
  • PI
    PSDP 2022 (Scholar: Tuba Kockar Kizilirmak): Does the lack of CFTR result in alterations in circulating myeloid cells early in the disease process, setting the stage for the hyperinflammatory state in CF?
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation · 2022–2024
    PERMAR22B-PSDP0
  • PI
    Amendment 3 to Visiting Student Educational Support Agreement (221077), Hsuan-Yuan Wang. Additional reference - Amendment 2 (232498).
    Duke University · 2024–2024Contract
    DU 235105-01
  • Sub-PI
    Immunogenicity Testing of Prefusion gBs (Dynavax)
    Dynavax Technologies · 2022–2024 · via University of Texas, Austin
    UTAUS-SUB00000673
  • Sub-PI
    Maternal Immunization: Recombinant vectored delivery of maternal antibody for transfer into breast milk and across the placenta
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · 2021–2024 · via Duke University
    OPP1189362
  • PI
    Unified Program for Therapeutics in Children (UPTiC)
    NICHD · 2019–2024 · via NIH RePORTER
    T32HD094671-01A1
  • PI
    Visiting Student Educational Support Agreement: Hsuan-Yuan (Sherry) Wang
    Duke University · 2023–2023Contract
    DU 232498-01
  • PI
    CMV mRNA vaccination clinical sample screening PHASE 1 (for period starting 7/1/22)
    ModernaTX · 2021–2023Contract
    SRA 213970-01
  • PI
    Designing policy solutions for the early inclusion of pregnant people and children in vaccine trials
    Cornell University - Ithaca · 2022–2023
    CCPPR Seed Grant 228479
  • Co-I
    PANDEMIC RESPONSE REPOSITORY - MICROBIAL AND IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY (PREMISE): ENTEROVIRUS D68 (EV-D68) PILOT STUDY - Option 1
    National Cancer Institute · 2022–2023 · via University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
    HHSN261201500003
  • KP
    Pre-clinical assessment of HCMV viral Fc receptors as vaccine targets
    National CMV Foundation · 2022–2023
    CMV 224932-01
  • PI
    The Origin, Predictors, and Immune Correlates of Viral Rebound in Orally SHIV Infected Infant Monkeys
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2023
    P01AI131276-05
  • PI
    Duke Resident Physician-Scientist Program- NIAID
    NIAID · 2018–2022 · via NIH RePORTER
    R38AI140297-02
  • PI
    Humoral Immune Correlates of Protection against Congenital CMV and HSV Transmission in HIV-Infected Women
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021–2022
    R21AI147992-03
  • PI
    Duke Resident Physician-Scientist Program- NHLBI
    NHLBI · 2018–2022 · via NIH RePORTER
    R38HL143612-02
  • Co-I
    Pandemic Response Repository - Microbial And Immune Surveillance And Epidemiology (Premise): Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) Pilot Study
    National Cancer Institute · 2021–2021 · via University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
    HHSN261201500003I
  • MPI
    Innate antiviral factors in breast milk and the oral HIV-1 reservoir
    NIDCR · 2015–2020 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01DE025444-04
  • PI
    The relationship between maternal ZIKV-specific and ADE antibodies and fetal outcome
    NIAID · 2018–2020 · via NIH RePORTER
    R21AI132677-01A1
  • PI
    Role of neutralizing antibodies in HIV-1-infected and vaccinated mothers in MTCT
    NIAID · 2016–2020 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01AI122909-03
  • PI
    Antibody and viral determinants of protection against CMV infection following gB/MF59 vaccination
    NIAID · 2018–2019 · via NIH RePORTER
    R21AI136556-02
  • PI
    Transmission-blocking potential of novel HIV Env-specific mucosal antibodies
    NIAID · 2013–2019 · via NIH RePORTER
    R01AI106380-05
  • PI
    Maternal immune protection against congenital CMV infection
    NICHD · 2012–2018 · via NIH RePORTER
    DP2HD075699-02
  • PI
    A novel HIV-1-neutralizing protein isolated from breast milk
    NIAID · 2013–2016 · via NIH RePORTER
    R21AI106494-02
  • PI
    Vaccine-induced HIV antibody responses in infants
    NICHD · 2012–2015 · via NIH RePORTER
    R03HD072796-02
  • PI
    SIV-specific Immunity in breast milk during infection and after vaccination
    NIAID · 2009–2014 · via NIH RePORTER
    K08AI087992-05
  • PI
    Antibody protection against SIV transmission
    NIAID · 2012–2014 · via NIH RePORTER
    R21AI100760-02
  • PI
    Breast Milk Studies
    NIAID · 2011–2013 · via NIH RePORTER
    U19AI067854-07
  • MPI
    SIV INFECTION AND VACCINATION IN LACTATING MONKEYS
    NCRR · 2010–2012 · via NIH RePORTER
    P51RR000168-50

Honors & distinctions

3 honors
  • Member · Association of American Physicians · 2025
  • Fellow · American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Member · American Society for Clinical Investigation

Clinical research

1 study
Completed & closed trials (1)
  • PI
    SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-elicited immune responses in breast milk
    Weill Medical College of Cornell University · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2024)

News mentions

27 mentionsView all WCM news ↗
  • Advocacy is Key to Preserving Vital Vaccine Research
    May 22, 2026

    Scientists and physicians should advocate to protect the vaccine research infrastructure that has saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years, according to a new commentary by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of Washington.

  • Reimagining Medicaid to Safeguard America’s Children
    April 9, 2026

    As states reassess Medicaid coverage following recent federal policy changes and the end of pandemic-era protections, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, the Cornell Health Policy Center and Ariadne Labs are championing evidence-based health care policy reform and expanded Medicaid coverage for children.

  • Students Break Down Big Science into Inspiring Stories
    December 10, 2025

    Three minutes and one slide were all it took for twelve young scientists to turn cutting-edge research into dramatic stories of hope at Weill Cornell Medicine’s tenth annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Nov. 13 in Uris Auditorium.

  • Keeping Pediatrics Afloat in a Sea of Funding Cuts
    November 1, 2025

    As Medicaid funding cuts enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to reduce health coverage among adults, researchers and clinicians warn that children are at increasing risk of unintended downstream effects.

  • NIH Grant Aims for Childhood Vaccine Against HIV
    September 18, 2025

    A multi-institutional team led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has been awarded a five-year, $20.8 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, for advanced preclinical development of a promising experimental HIV vaccine.

Show 22 more mentions

Media highlights

1 clip

Mentoring

8 menteesAll publications with mentees →
2 PhD students · 6 Postdocs

PhD · 2

Postdoc · 6

External relationships

Other

Kamada Ltd. · Merck & Co., Inc. · ModernaTX · Pfizer, Inc.