Robin Patel

Robin Patel, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She serves as Director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology, and Director of the Bacteriology Laboratory within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Her work bridges clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and translational research, with a focus on improving patient care through innovation in diagnostics and therapeutics.

Her research interests center on biofilm-mediated infections, including prosthetic joint infections, endocarditis, and catheter-associated infections. She investigates mechanisms of biofilm formation and resistance, develops novel diagnostic assays, and evaluates new antimicrobial agents using in vitro and animal models (e.g., rabbit endocarditis, mouse pneumonia). Her lab is also deeply involved in combating antimicrobial resistance through innovative strategies such as electrochemical bandages and catheters.

Dr. Patel's recent publications highlight trends in novel antimicrobial devices, phage therapy, proteomic analysis of biofilms, and advanced molecular diagnostics. Her work increasingly integrates engineering solutions with microbiology to create non-antibiotic interventions for persistent infections.

• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024)
• Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator (2022)
• Distinguished Educator Award (2021)
• Elizabeth P. and Robert E. Allen Professor of Individualized Medicine (2017)
• Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2012)

Dr. Patel has led multiple NIH-funded grants, including projects on electrochemical catheters for bloodstream infection prevention and novel bandages for wound infections. She mentors a large research team and contributes significantly to national standards through leadership roles in the American Board of Pathology and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Her lab collaborates extensively across disciplines and institutions, driving innovation in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases.

She is affiliated with key research centers at Mayo Clinic, including the Center for Individualized Medicine, the Infectious Diseases Research Center, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). Her laboratory is a hub for translational research, developing assays that are directly implemented in patient care at Mayo Clinic.