Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Peter M. Vallone (Fed)

Leader, Applied Genetics Group

Peter M. Vallone received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. Afterward, he was awarded an NRC postdoctoral fellowship that brought him to the Biotechnology Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Over the last 25 years at NIST, Dr. Vallone has developed multiplex PCR assays for the detection of genetic variation, methods for the rapid amplification of STR loci, and characterizing nucleic acid-based reference materials. 

As the Applied Genetics Group leader at NIST since 2013, Dr. Vallone has worked with a team of researchers producing DNA reference materials and assessing emerging techniques such as next-generation sequencing and digital PCR. The group's efforts provide research and training that support the forensic DNA community. Dr. Vallone has published over 95 peer-reviewed articles in DNA thermodynamics, characterization of forensic genetic marker systems, reference materials, and measurement of viral genomes for clinical applications.

Awards

2024 United States of America Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award for the advancement and modernization of the Short Tandem Repeat DNA Internet Database (STRBase) to support the human identity testing community.

2021 United States of America Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Federal Service for the rapid development of a SARS-CoV-2 Research Grade Test Material, RGTM 10169, to assess RNA-based diagnostic tests and benchmark SARS-CoV-2 test control materials.

2021 Judson C. French Award for development and characterization of a next-generation forensic DNA Standard Reference Material using a diverse suite of molecular techniques. 

2020 United States of America Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Federal Service for developing a suite of human genome metrology tools via a NIST-led consortium to make it possible to decipher life's code with unprecedented rigor.

2020 NIST -  MML Accolade Award for the rapid development of nucleic acid-based measurement methods and standards, including RGTM 10169: SARS-CoV-2 Synthetic RNA Fragments, to support detection and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a cross-division and -OU multidisciplinary, teamwork effort.

2014 United States of America Department of Commerce Silver Medal Award for Meritorious Achievement in the Federal Service for the development of rapid forensic DNA typing techniques that enable state-of-the-art human identity testing and DNA biometrics.

2009 International Society of Forensic Genetics, Best Poster Prize Award

2008  United States of America Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Federal Service

1999 NRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship National Institute of Standards and Technology

News

STRBase Web Resource Update

A significant update was undertaken to modernize STRBase and make it more user-friendly. This project aimed to ensure that the website remains a relevant and

Selected Publications

Development of a Forensic DNA Research Grade Test Material

Author(s)
Erica Romsos, Lisa Borsuk, Carolyn Steffen, Sarah Riman, Kevin Kiesler, Peter Vallone
Advancements in forensic DNA typing technology and methods have resulted in increased sensitivity and, while beneficial, carry the weight of more challenging

The Application of Digital PCR as a Reference Measurement Procedure to Support the Accuracy of Quality Assurance for Infectious Disease Molecular Diagnostic Testing

Author(s)
Samreen Falak, Denise O'Sullivan, Megan Cleveland, Simon Cowen, Eloise Busby, Alison Devonshire, Esmeralda Valiente, Gerwyn Jones, Martin Kammel, Mojca Milavec, Laura Vierbaum, Ingo Schellenberg, Heinz Zeichhardt, Andreas Kummrow, Peter Vallone, Rainer Macdonald, Jim Huggett
Background Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) are used to diagnose many infectious diseases. They are typically sensitive and specific and can be quickly

Publications

From Crisis to Routine - Standardization of SARS-CoV-2 Genome Detection by Enhanced EQA Schemes in a Scientific Pandemic Network

Author(s)
Martin Kammel, Hans-Peter Grunert, Anika Zimmerman, Annemarie Martin, Vanessa Lindig, Samuel Samuleit, Ulf Duehring, Mechthild Adams-Bagusche, Dirk Sander, Hannah Zeichhardt, Christian Drosten, Victor Corman, Daniela Niemeyer, Sandra Ciesek, Holger Rabenau, Martin Obermeier, Robert Ehret, Rolf Kaiser, Jim Huggett, Denise O'Sullivan, Peter Vallone, Megan Cleveland, Samreen Falak, Andreas Kummrow, Esmeralda Valiente, Rainer Macdonald, Mojca Milavec, Sabine Goseberg, Silke Kappler, Natalie Weiss, Laura Vierbaum, Patricia Kaiser, Ingo Schellenberg, Heinz Zeichhardt
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a crisis situation in which diagnostic methods for the genome detection of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 were urgently

Data and Software Publications

U.S. population data for human identification markers

Author(s)
Lisa Borsuk, Katherine Gettings, Kevin Kiesler, Becky Steffen, Peter Vallone
The primary data consist of allele or haplotype frequencies for N=1036 anonymized U.S. population samples. Additional files are supplements to the associated publications. Any changes to spreadsheets

Patents (2018-Present)

Agile Nucleic Acid Sensor And Measuring A Biomarker

NIST Inventors
Kevin Kiesler , Alokik Kanwal , Anthony J. Kearsley , Erica Romsos , Peter M. Vallone , Jacob Majikes and Arvind Balijepalli
An agile nucleic acid sensor includes: a DNA switch; an analysis substrate in electrostatic communication with the DNA switch and that produces a biomarker electrical signal; a transduction member that receives the biomarker electrical signal and produces a transduction signal; a sensor counter

System And Method For Data Analysis In Quantitative PCR Measurements

NIST Inventors
Anthony J. Kearsley , Paul Patrone , Erica Romsos and Peter M. Vallone
In quantitative polymerase chain-reaction (qPCR) measurements, accurately subtracting background signals, quantifying the amount of DNA, and ensuring fidelity of data analysis and diagnostic tests is challenging. Such problems are especially acute for emerging / novel diseases that lack thoroughly
Created May 31, 2018, Updated March 6, 2025
Was this page helpful?