Dawn Wetzel

Dawn Wetzel, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern and an infectious disease specialist affiliated with Children’s Health℠. She holds dual appointments in the Departments of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, focusing on molecular and biochemical parasitology, particularly Leishmania and other pediatric infectious diseases.

• Education: Medical Degree and Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from Washington University in St. Louis
• Training: Pediatrics residency at Columbia University, fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at Yale University

Her research explores calcium signaling in apicomplexan parasites, drug discovery for trypanosomatid infections, and kinase-mediated phagocytosis. Key publications highlight mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii motility, Leishmania pathogenesis, and novel antiparasitic compounds.

Dr. Wetzel leads an independent research laboratory at UT Southwestern, contributing to understanding neglected tropical diseases and developing therapeutic strategies. She holds a patent for anti-parasitic medicines and has secured national recognition for her work.