Dr. Keith R. Jerome is a physician and medical researcher on the faculty at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown College before earning a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology and his M.D. from Duke University.

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Dr. Jerome's research focuses on the biology of chronic viral infections. He has published extensively on pathogen-host interactions and immune evasion by herpesviruses, and is now pioneering the use of gene editing and gene therapy as potentially curative therapies for HIV, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, and herpesvirus infections. He has served as co-principal investigator and National Institute of Health contact investigator for defeatHIV, one of the original three Martin Delaney Collaboratories working toward a cure for HIV disease.

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In addition to his basic research efforts, Dr. Jerome leads the diagnostic virology program at the University of Washington. Under his guidance, the program has designed and implemented molecular testing assays for a wide variety of human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis B and C, enterovirus, BK virus, and cytomegalovirus. The laboratory provides diagnostic support for stem cell transplant and other patients in the Pacific Northwest, and throughout the country through its reference testing services.