Dr. Leland Shapiro, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine · Division of Infectious Diseases · University of Colorado School of Medicine · Staff Physician at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. Leland Shapiro is a leading infectious-diseases specialist and physician-scientist with more than two decades of research experience in cytokine biology, HIV molecular biology, and infectious-diseases pathogenesis. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to leading journals, and serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology.
He was previously recognized for his discovery of alpha-1 antitrypsin as an endogenous inhibitor of HIV.
Currently, Dr. Shapiro’s research — supported by The Emily Foundation — challenges the widely accepted “cytokine storm” theory of infection-related illness. His landmark publication, “Chasing the Ghost: Hyperinflammation Does Not Cause Sepsis,” has generated international attention and may lead to a new, biologically consistent model of how infections cause disease.
In addition, Dr. Shapiro has developed innovative diagnostic tools, such as the Ferritin-to-Procalcitonin Ratio for distinguishing viral from bacterial infections, and has collaborated on numerous clinical investigations.
His work reflects a bold, theory-driven approach to improving patient care and reshaping global understanding of infectious disease.
- Appointment
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Clinical role
- Staff Physician, Infectious Diseases, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Editorial
- Associate Editor, Frontiers in Microbiology
- Published work
- 100+ peer-reviewed publications spanning cytokine biology, HIV molecular biology, sepsis, and infectious-disease pathogenesis