Dr. David S. Perlin is a highly accomplished biomedical researcher and chief executive who is well recognized for his innovative and entrepreneurial leadership in the biomedical sciences. He is the inaugural Chief Scientific Officer and EVP for the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), which rapidly translates innovations in science to improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases, and other acute and chronic disorders. Dr. Perlin has been engaged for >30 years in developing molecular insights and technologies to detect, combat and prevent deadly infections. He is an expert in drug discovery and drug resistance mechanisms, and he has helped develop novel therapeutics and diagnostics against high-threat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. He has published more than 340 papers and book chapters and has co-authored two books. His laboratory is supported by multiple grants from the NIH, Pharma and biopharma sectors. Dr. Perlin has served on advisory boards for the NIH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, and numerous Pharma, biotech and diagnostic companies. Under Dr. Perlin’s leadership, CDI was named in 2020 the top Business Incubator in New Jersey and was further honored with a “Medical Technology Pioneer Health Care Heroes” award for their COVID-19 response. Dr. Perlin is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2018) and the New York Academy of Sciences (2006). He was named by RO1 a top 10 influencer in healthcare in New Jersey in 2019 and 2020; Outstanding Scientist in New Jersey by the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards in 2020, 2021; a top 25 National Innovator by Modern Healthcare in 2021, and in 2022 a top 25 Notable Health Care Leader by Crain’s New York Business. Finally, he received the 2023 Sol J. Barer award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership.