Daniel Malamud, a former professor of biochemistry in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, died on June 23. He was 84.

Dr. Malamus was born in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan. He then continued his education at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a PhD in biochemistry. After graduating, he began his career at Massachusetts General Hospital, then joined Penn’s faculty in 1977 as an associate professor of biochemistry. At Penn, Dr. Malamus was an engaged faculty member for three decades, serving on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, on search committees for a Penn provost and for the dean of Penn Dental Medicine, and on various University Council committees. In 1984, he was promoted to a full professor. Dr. Malamud contributed several “Speaking Out” pieces to Almanac over the years, including a piece advocating for bicycle safety on campus after the death of a freshman (Almanac October 26, 1999). Dr. Malamus left Penn in 2006 to accept a position as a professor of basic science and craniofacial biology and director of the HIV/AIDS Research Program at the NYU College of Dentistry.

“Dan Malamud is a giant in his field,” said Charles N. Bertolami, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of NYU Dentistry, in 2021 when Dr. Malamud was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). “His research responding to pressing health needs with innovative solutions has greatly improved public health at the global level. He has long been a personal mentor and role model for me dating back to the 1980s.”

Dr. Malamud’s research explored infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and Zika; the biochemistry of saliva; and the development of new diagnostic tools to detect bacterial or viral infections. He worked towards creating novel diagnostics using oral biomarkers captured in saliva, given that saliva is more easily obtained than blood samples, and developed an anti-HIV drug and a rapid Zika test using a saliva-derived molecule. He received several University Research Foundation (URF) grants toward this research during his time at Penn (Almanac March 15, 2005). In 2021, he retired from NYU.

Dr. Malamud was predeceased by his wife, Judith Malamud (Disner). He is survived by his children, Randy Malamud (Nina Gupta) and Lisa (Paul Apostol, Jr.); his grandchildren, Jake and Ben Simonds-Malamud and Owen and Emma Apostol; his siblings, Jerry Malamud and Judy Malamud; his sister-in-law, Gail Lindenberg; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial was held on July 7. Those who wish to further honor Dr. Malamud’s memory may contribute to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, http://www.alzfdn.org.