David Beckham, M.D., a leading basic and translational investigator whose research focuses on designing novel therapies to treat or prevent viral infections in the nervous system, has been named Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine.

Dr. Beckham joined UT Southwestern in June after serving as Professor of Medicine and Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine for 16 years. At the University of Colorado, he investigated how viruses interact with the host immune system in the brain. He also studied how inflammation might trigger events related to the development of Parkinson’s disease and other neurogenerative disorders.

In his new role at UTSW, Dr. Beckham has ambitious goals. “We plan to transform the Division into an internationally recognized program of excellence for research, education, and patient care,” he said. “We will develop programmatic research, educational training, and collaborative patient care efforts that integrate with the outstanding patient care throughout our hospital systems and campus.”

The new role allows Dr. Beckham, who grew up in Houston, to return to Texas. He graduated from Baylor University and received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, where he also completed internal medicine residency training. He then obtained advanced training in infectious disease at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he also completed postdoctoral research training in neurovirology.

At the University of Colorado, Dr. Beckham held numerous leadership roles. He directed the ID Fellowship Training Program and the ID research training program, led the inpatient ID service, and served as Section Chief of neuroinfectious diseases in the Department of Neurology. He launched a neuroinfectious diseases fellowship and served as the founding Medical Director of Occupational Health. He also mentored numerous trainees at the graduate, postdoctoral, and junior faculty levels.

Dr. Beckham said he was drawn to UT Southwestern by the outstanding history and track record of medical research, education, and patient care.

“UTSW is internationally known as a premier destination for medical faculty, trainees, and staff,” he said. “The opportunity to be a part of such a great academic medical center was too good to pass up.”