Paul Keim

Paul Keim is an American distinguished professor, geneticist and microbiologist, known for his work in pathogen genomics and biodefense. He is the founding executive director of the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) and holds the titles of E. Raymond and Ruth Reed Cowden Chair of Microbiology and Regents Professor of Biology at Northern Arizona University. He has made major contributions to the field of microbiological forensics, especially in the context of bioterrorism and public health hazards.

His publications include over 500 scientific and research policy papers, which have been cited over 60,000 times with an h-index of 116.

Early life and education

Keim grew up in central Kansas and initially attended McPherson College but earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Arizona University and his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Kansas. His postdoctoral training was the University of Utah and Iowa State University in genetics and microbiology. He did sabbatical stints at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Universidad de Costa Rica, and as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford.

Career

Keim has been a faculty member at Northern Arizona University for over 35 years, where he holds the titles of E. Raymond and Ruth Reed Cowden Chair of Microbiology and Regents Professor of Biology. He has also founded the Pathogen Genomics Division (2003) at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and holds the rank of Distinguish Professor.

In 2002, Keim established the Microbial Genetics and Genomics Center at NAU, which transformed into the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (2001). His work in microbial forensic has allowed for analysis of dangerous pathogens, particularly those related to bioterrorism, such as ''Bacillus anthracis'' (anthrax), ''Yersinia pestis'' ( plague), ''Francisella tularensis'' (tularemia).

Contributions

Keim is most noted for his involvement in the FBI investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks, where his lab at NAU identified the anthrax strain used in the attacks. His team developed assays that were more accurate in identifying strains than others available at the time, assisting both in the criminal investigation and the subsequent clean-up efforts. Documentation of this work includes Keim’s appearance in a 2022 Netflix documentary Anthrax Attacks.

His research also investigated the 1993 anthrax attack in Japan to the Aum Shinrikyo cult, demonstrating the forensic applications of genomic technology in biodefense.

Pathogen genomics program

Keim leads the Pathogen Genomics Program, a collaboration between TGen and NAU. The program focuses on three core areas:
# Biodefense – Enhancing forensic analysis for biological weapons.
# Human-Pathogen Interactions – Understanding the relationship between humans and microbial pathogens to develop new diagnostics and treatments.
# Disease Movement – Studying how pathogens spread to control and prevent future outbreaks.

His work has not only addressed bioterrorism but has also extended to public health, helping to develop molecular identification tools for pathogens like ''E. coli'', ''Salmonella'', ''Listeria'', and tuberculosis.

Research in epidemiology and disease outbreaks

Keim's has been involved in tracking various disease outbreaks, including the identification of the source of a cholera outbreak in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and determining the spread of Valley fever in organ transplant cases. His efforts have contributed to a better understanding of how pathogens evolve and spread, with the goal of mitigating future public health crises.

Selected publications

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Awards

* Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS. 2015.
* Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology 2002.
* AZBio Researcher of the Year 2012
* Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, Northern Arizona University 2013

References

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Living people
American geneticists
Scientists from Kansas
Northern Arizona University alumni
University of Kansas alumni
Northern Arizona University faculty
Northern Arizona University people
Microbiologists
American microbiologists
Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology
American academics
21st-century American academics
Year of birth missing (living people)