ralph r. isberg (born january 3, 1955) is a professor at tufts university school of medicine known for his contributions to understanding microbial pathogenesis. he is a member of the american national academy of sciences and was an investigator of the howard hughes medical institute for 27 years. a microbiologist, isberg has published over 185 peer-reviewed articles and is or has been an editor of the proceedings of the national academy of sciences, plos pathogens, and journal of experimental medicine, among others.