Mary Kearney

Mary F. Kearney is an American biologist. She is a senior scientist and head of the translational research section in the HIV dynamics and replication program at the National Cancer Institute.

Education Kearney completed a B.A. (1996) and M.S. in biomedical science (2001) at Hood College. Her master's thesis was titled Determining the resistance profile of conocurvone, an early-stage inhibitor of HIV-1 replication. Her advisor was Luke Pallansch. Kearney received a Ph.D. in biology from Catholic University of America in 2007 under the direction of John Coffin, Sarah Palmer, and . She received The Benedict T. DeCicco Award for Excellence in Graduate Research in 2008.

Kearney's scientific focus areas include clinical research, microbiology, infectious diseases, and virology. Her areas of expertise include HIV drug resistance, HIV persistence, HIV residual viremia, HIV cure, HIV evolution, and HIV genetics.

Awards and honors Kearney is the recipient of three Bench-to-Beside Awards, three NIH Intramural AIDS Targeted Antiviral Program Awards, and a U.S.–South Africa Initiative U01 Grant. Kearney was awarded the NIH Director's Award and NCI Group Award in 2012, the NCI Director's Award in 2015, and the CCR Group Award in 2016. Kearney received a 2019 NIH Director's Award as a member of the NIH Women Scientist Advisors (WSA) Executive Committee. Nominated by the NIH Office of the Director, the Executive Committee members received this team award for leadership of the WSA in promoting recruitment, retention, and recognition of women scientists and fair treatment with respect to salary and work environment.