Utpal Pal

Dr. Utpal Pal is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has served since 2006. He is also an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the same institution. Dr. Pal directs the Veterinary Medical Sciences (VMSC) Graduate Program (2016-2019) and leads the Tick Immunity research initiative.

• Education: M.Sc. (1988), Ph.D. (1994) from University of Calcutta, Postdoctoral Training (2002) at Yale University

Research Focus: Dr. Pal investigates molecular mechanisms of vector-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and Leptospirosis. His work explores genetic determinants of Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira interrogans, emphasizing host-vector-pathogen interactions, immunomodulation, and next-generation therapeutics. His lab employs genomics, proteomics, and structural biology to uncover pathogenesis pathways and vaccine targets.

Dr. Pal's recent research trends include:

• Tick immune signaling (Dome1-JAK-STAT pathway)
• Genomic analysis of Ixodes scapularis
• Epigenetic regulation in vector biology
• Novel vaccine strategies (mRNA, protein targets)
• Proteolytic processing of virulence factors
• Tick gut barriers and microbiome-pathogen dynamics

Funding Sources: His work has been supported by

• NIH-NIAID
• NIH-NIAMS
• American Heart Association
• Arthritis Foundation
• Department of Defense
• Cohen Foundation
• Global Lyme Alliance
• MAES
• Merck

Lab Members: The Pal Lab includes 8 active graduate students specializing in Lyme disease pathogenesis, tick immunity, and microbial persistence, along with research scientists and faculty specialists.