Robert Gallo

Robert Charles Gallo is an American biomedical researcher known for his role in establishing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the infectious agent responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Born on March 23, 1937, Gallo is the director and co-founder of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He has made significant contributions to HIV research, including the development of the HIV blood test. Gallo is also a co-founder of biotechnology company Profectus BioSciences, Inc. and the scientific director of the Global Virus Network. He has been recognized as the most cited scientist in the world from 1980 to 1990.