Sharon M. Tennant

Dr. Sharon M. Tennant serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she heads the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics Section at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD). Her leadership spans global clinical trials and field studies across Africa, Asia, and South America, with primary focus on non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) pathogenesis and vaccine development.

Her academic foundation includes a B.A./B.Sc. in French/Psychology/Genetics/Microbiology (1999) and Ph.D. in Microbiology (2005) from the University of Melbourne, followed by postdoctoral training at UMSOM's CVD through a J.N. Peters Bequest Fellowship (2005-2007), Academic Fellowship (2007-2008), and Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2010).

Dr. Tennant's research integrates four pillars: bacterial pathogenesis of invasive NTS strains like African ST313 variants; vaccine development of live attenuated and flagellin-conjugate vaccines against NTS, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; diagnostic assay innovation for culture-independent Salmonella detection; and global health contributions through landmark studies like VIDA and EFGH that define diarrheal disease etiology in resource-limited settings.

Her publication record reveals sustained focus on NTS vaccine mechanisms, with recent expansion to nosocomial pathogens. Key innovations include flagellin-secreting vaccine platforms now in Phase 2 trials, age-stratified immunogenicity studies, and tolerability-optimized strains that balance inflammatory responses. This work bridges preclinical development through FDA regulatory pathways.

Recognition includes:

• J.N. Peters Bequest Research Fellowship (University of Melbourne)
• Academic Fellowship at UMSOM CVD
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at UMSOM CVD

As Principal Investigator and co-investigator on multiple diagnostic studies, she has compiled FDA Investigational New Drug applications and directs grant-funded research within the EFGH consortium. Her laboratory provides critical microbiology oversight for multicenter trials evaluating shigellosis incidence across seven global sites.

The CVD laboratory under her direction maintains comprehensive microbiology and molecular biology capabilities including biosafety cabinets, real-time PCR systems, electroporators, and gel electrophoresis platforms, supporting vaccine engineering from genetic modification through preclinical evaluation.