Viruses outnumber humans by about 400 trillion to one, and yet pandemics are rare. Why? Why do a few viruses inflict so much damage, when the vast majority are harmless or even helpful? Those questions drive A.J. te Velthuis, a virologist who joined Princeton’s molecular biology faculty in January 2021. “AJ is the future of virology,” said Bonnie Bassler, the Squibb Professor in Molecular Biology and chair of the department. “Our department has always been a powerhouse in virology. When it was time to bring in a new assistant professor, our senior virologists — an incredible group of scholars and intellects — helped us understand where the future of this field is going, and they pinpointed him.” To read the full story.