Michael J. Imperiale, Ph.D., is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on interactions between BK Polyomavirus and human host cells that determine viral persistence and replication. Imperiale also currently serves as Associate Vice President for Research Policy and Compliance at the University of Michigan. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Columbia University, and completed postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University before joining the University of Michigan faculty.
 
In addition to his research, Imperiale has been engaged in science policy discussions centering around biosafety, biosecurity and biodefense. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of mSphere.

Imperiale has been recognized with numerous honors, including being a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award and Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award from the University of Michigan.