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Michael KatzmanView profile

Professor

• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Retroviral Integrase
• +3 more

Michael Katzman, MD is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at Penn State College of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, a position he has held since establishing the program in 2011. Dr. Katzman is also recognized as a Distinguished Educator at Penn State College of Medicine. Penn State University, College of Medicine (Current) Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Dr. Katzman's research career has evolved significantly over time. For more than two decades, his work focused on the structure and function of retroviral integrase enzymes, particularly in HIV, avian sarcoma viruses, and visna virus. His contributions include the first purification of enzymatically active retroviral integrase from bacterial expression systems and the development of assays still used to study this enzyme today. More recently, his research has shifted to antimicrobial stewardship, with numerous publications on Clostridioides difficile infections, antibiotic treatment guidelines, and optimizing antimicrobial stewardship programs through electronic medical records. His most recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward clinical applications of infectious disease research, particularly in hospital epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship. The 2023 article on reducing Clostridioides difficile infections represents the culmination of his work in infection control, while his 2019 paper on electronic medical record customization shows his adaptation to modern healthcare technology. Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019) Distinguished Educator Award (2011) Dr. Katzman has secured multiple NIH-funded research projects throughout his career, including three significant grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. His 1991-1995 project focused on HIV-1 integration, followed by substrate interaction studies (2000-2002), and novel stimulators of HIV-1 integrase (2007-2010). As his career evolved, he transitioned from basic science research to clinical applications, establishing and directing Penn State's Antimicrobial Stewardship Program since 2011. Dr. Katzman leads the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which involves collaboration between infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, and clinical microbiologists. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being through his research on appropriate antimicrobial use and infection control.

• Innate Immunity
• Host Defense Peptides
• Defensin Biology
• +2 more

Michael E. Selsted, MD, PhD, is Professor and former Chair of Pathology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. As a board-certified pathologist and physician-scientist, he leads research on mammalian host defense mechanisms with continuous NIH funding since 1986. His landmark work includes the discovery and characterization of α-, β-, and θ-defensins – microbicidal peptides critical to innate immunity. Dr. Selsted's investigations focus on developing defensin-based therapies for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and multidrug-resistant infections. His research spans peptide engineering, immunomodulation, and translational applications, resulting in over 50 patents and clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Honors include the NIH MERIT Award recognizing his sustained contributions to immunopathology. His team explores macrocyclic peptides derived from θ-defensins as novel therapeutic agents against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

• Pharmaceutical Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Pharmaceutics
• +3 more

Festo Damian is an Adjunct Assistant Professor with expertise in pharmaceutical science and drug delivery systems. His research focuses on dissolution methods for soft gelatin capsules, formulation development of antiviral agents like UC-781, and vaginal microbicide gels. He has contributed to improving drug stability in aqueous solutions and characterizing solid dispersions using advanced analytical techniques such as XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy. His work spans over two decades, with significant contributions to the understanding of UC-781’s physical and chemical properties, including its interactions with polymers like PEG and PVP. Damian has also explored in vitro biodegradation studies of carbohydrate-based drug carriers, emphasizing colon-specific drug delivery applications. Key research trends include optimizing drug delivery systems for antiviral therapies, validating dissolution methods for BCS Class II compounds, and enhancing formulation stability through solid dispersion technologies. His articles reflect a strong emphasis on translational research between formulation science and clinical applications, particularly in HIV prevention and pharmaceutical quality control.

Kristina BrolidenView profile

Professor

• Immunology in the medical area
• Infectious Medicine
• Microbiology in the medical area
• +3 more

Kristina Broliden is a Professor and Senior Consultant in the Unit of Infectious Diseases at Karolinska Institutet and the Clinic of Infectious Diseases at Karolinska University Hospital. She serves as Director of Undergraduate Education at the Department of Medicine Solna. Her academic roles include leadership as former Head of Department (2015-2020) and Head of Division (2000-2004). She holds a PhD in Immunology and Virology from Karolinska Institutet (1989) and a Medical Degree (1990). Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly HIV, in the female genital mucosa. Key areas include the impact of the genital microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and sex hormones on mucosal immunity. Techniques used include spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics analysis, and 3D-tissue explant models to study host-microbiome interactions and epithelial barrier integrity. Her work aims to identify molecular signals that could inform the development of topical prophylactic compounds. Major grants include support from the Swedish Research Council and Canadian Institutes of Health Research for projects investigating hormonal contraceptive effects, microbiome-based HIV risk stratification, and mucosal HIV resistance mechanisms. Key achievements include defining how depot medroxyprogesterone acetate alters cervical epithelium structure and HIV receptor distribution, and identifying neutrophil-driven immune responses in vaginal candidiasis. Her research group collaborates internationally, including with Kenyan and Canadian institutions. Professional activities include editorial roles, international conference presentations, and advocacy for women’s health in HIV prevention. Her lab is part of the Division of Clinical Virology and the Department of Medicine, Solna, contributing to both clinical care and translational research.

• Global Health
• HIV/AIDS
• Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Salim S. Abdool Karim is the CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and Director of CAPRISA. He holds adjunct roles at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research). A clinical epidemiologist, his work focuses on HIV prevention, microbicides, and TB-HIV co-infection. His landmark CAPRISA 004 trial demonstrated tenofovir gel’s efficacy in preventing HIV and herpes in women. Education: MBChB (University of Natal, 1983), MS (Columbia University, 1988), PhD (University of Natal, 1999) Leadership Roles: Chair of UNAIDS Scientific Expert Panel, WHO HIV/TB Task Force member Research Interests: Global Health, HIV/AIDS, Infectious Diseases His research has shaped global guidelines for TB-HIV management and influenced HIV vaccine development through patented innovations. Awards include TWAS Prize in Medical Sciences (2008) and 2024 Lasker Award.

Anna BlakneyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Gene Therapy
• Vaccine Development
• RNA Delivery Systems
• +7 more

Dr. Anna Blakney is an Assistant Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on RNA delivery systems, immunology, and vaccine development, with a particular emphasis on optimizing gene therapies and understanding immune interactions with biomaterials. Key affiliations include the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) and the Genome Sciences and Technology (GSAT) program at UBC. Her work spans translational research in self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations, and biomaterial engineering. Notable achievements include developing saRNA platforms for HIV and cancer therapies, and pioneering outreach initiatives like TikTok-based science communication through the UN’s Project Halo. Dr. Blakney has secured major grants such as the $24M New Frontiers in Research Fund grant for neurodegenerative disease research and the MSFHR Scholar Award for antibody therapy projects. Research interests include: RNA delivery mechanisms and immune interactions Optimization of saRNA for clinical translation Topical and intramuscular vaccine delivery strategies Development of thermostable RNA formulations Cellular sensing of RNA formulations Publications highlight advancements in saRNA biodistribution, nanoparticle characterization, and preclinical vaccine efficacy. Awards include MIT’s 35 Innovators Under 35 and UBC’s President’s Award for Media Outreach. Her lab actively collaborates with institutions worldwide, aiming to bridge scientific innovation with public education.

Ahmed FaheemView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery and Targeting
• Controlled Release Systems
• +4 more

Ahmed Faheem is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sunderland. He holds a PhD in Drug Delivery and Targeting from UCL School of Pharmacy (2006) and conducted postdoctoral research at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (pulmonary anticancer delivery) and Queen’s University Belfast (HIV microbicides). He co-founded Ulster University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, serving as MSc Course Director (2010-2015). Research Focus: Pharmaceutical nanotechnology for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics Key Areas: Biodegradable nanoparticles, 3D tablet printing, pulmonary delivery Collaborations: Bradford Institute for Cancer Therapeutics (patent holder) His teaching portfolio includes dosage form design, biopharmaceutics, and controlled release systems. He supervises 12 PhD/MSc students on topics spanning glioblastoma targeting, metastatic cancer strategies, and wound healing applications. As a journal associate editor and reviewer for leading pharmaceutics publications, he contributes to field advancements.

Irwin ChaikenView profile

Professor

• Protein interactions in health and disease
• HIV-1 Env structure-based antagonism
• Recombinant protein/peptidomimetic/small molecule inhibitor design
• +5 more

Irwin Chaiken, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Drexel University College of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of protein interactions, particularly targeting HIV-1 envelope (Env) proteins to develop antiviral therapies. Chaiken holds a PhD from UCLA and an AB from Brown University. Research: Chaiken's lab investigates HIV-1 cell entry mechanisms, designing peptidomimetic inhibitors and evaluating their efficacy for AIDS therapeutics, microbicides, and vaccines. Collaborations include institutions like Columbia University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Grants & Awards: Awarded the 2017 CURE Grant and a Campbell Foundation grant for HIV/AIDS research. His work on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors during the pandemic was supported by Drexel's Rapid Response Fund. Labs & Teams: Leads the Chaiken Research Group, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance virology, protein engineering, and drug development. Past students and postdocs include Andrew Holmes (2016) and Karyn McFadden (2011).

Bi-Botti Celestin YouanView profile

Professor

• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery Systems
• HIV Prevention
• +3 more

Dr. Bi-Botti Celestin Youan is Professor in the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administration at UMKC School of Pharmacy. His laboratory develops nanomedicine platforms for controlled drug delivery to brain, pulmonary, and topical targets. Research encompasses three primary areas: 1) Microbicide nanocarriers for HIV/AIDS prevention (NIH/NIAID funded), 2) Intracerebral delivery of anticonvulsants for pharmacoresistant epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation funded), and 3) Heparin nano/microparticles for pulmonary anticoagulant therapy (NIH/NIGMS funded). Teaching focuses on pharmaceutics fundamentals, dosage form design, and novel delivery systems. He contributes to undergraduate pharmaceutics courses and graduate-level advanced drug delivery topics.

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• +6 more

Adam Burgener is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of the Center for Global Health and Diseases and holds the Adel Mahmoud Professorship of Global Health and Vaccines. His research focuses on mass spectrometry-based proteomics and systems biology to study host immunity, the microbiome, and their roles in disease susceptibility, particularly in HIV/AIDS and cancer. Collaborations span domestic and international partners, including the US, Canada, and Africa. Education: PhD in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba (2005). Research interests include the microbiome's impact on mucosal immunity and infectious diseases, with a focus on developing preventative and therapeutic strategies. His lab also explores mechanisms of HIV transmission and host-microbial interactions in disease contexts. Publications highlight interdisciplinary work on genital tract microbiota, HIV pathogenesis, and the role of contraceptives in immune modulation. Collaborations emphasize global health, including studies in African populations. Advising and grants are integral to his role, though specific grant details are not explicitly listed. His lab, Burgener Research Group, is part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Population and Cancer Prevention Program.

Charles GerbaView profile

Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Virology
• Water Reuse
• +4 more

Charles Gerba is a Professor at the University of Arizona, affiliated with the Water and Energy Sustainability (WEST) Center. His research focuses on environmental microbiology, virology, and microbial risk assessment, particularly in water reuse, pathogen transmission, and infection control. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Florida. Education: PhD in Microbiology, University of Florida, Miami Research Interests: Gerba explores viral and bacterial contamination in water systems, aerosol transmission dynamics, disinfectant efficacy, and public health interventions. His work addresses emerging pathogens, such as coronaviruses, and their mitigation through novel antimicrobial coatings and sanitation strategies. Recent studies emphasize toilet hygiene, wastewater surveillance for infectious diseases, and microbial risk assessment in healthcare and urban environments. His recent articles highlight advancements in understanding virus resuspension mechanisms, antiviral natural products, and the application of microbial risk models to public health challenges. Gerba collaborates globally on projects like SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring and antibiotic resistance mitigation. Advising & Grants: Gerba’s research is supported by grants focusing on environmental health, water quality, and microbial control. His lab at the WEST Center develops innovative solutions for sustainable water reuse and pathogen reduction. Labs/Teams: He leads the WEST Center, a hub for interdisciplinary research in water sustainability, energy systems, and environmental microbiology. The team addresses challenges in water scarcity, sanitation, and ecological health.

Timothy J. CardozoView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Virology
• +9 more

Timothy J. Cardozo, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. His research spans molecular biology, immunology, and virology with a focus on structural modeling of proteins and therapeutic targeting in infectious diseases. Education MD from New York University PhD from New York University Research Highlights include studies on: RNA-binding proteins as drug targets in parasitic diseases Structural modeling of T-cell receptor complexes HIV/SIV vaccine development using epitope scaffolding Allosteric regulation of metabolic enzymes K ATP channel modulators for pharmacological applications Contact Information: Phone: 212-263-6337 Email: Timothy.Cardozo@nyulangone.org Office: Medical Science Building, 550 First Avenue, Room 394C

Myron CohenView profile

Professor

• HIV Prevention
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Virology
• +3 more

Myron Cohen, MD serves as Yeargan-Bate Eminent Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with primary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. He concurrently directs the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID), serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Health, and has led the UNC Division of Infectious Diseases since 1988 while acting as associate director of the UNC Center for AIDS Research. His educational foundation includes a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois (1971), MD from Rush Medical College (1974), Internal Medicine training at the University of Michigan (1975-1977), and Infectious Disease fellowship at Yale University (1980). Dr. Cohen's research revolutionized HIV prevention through seminal work on transmission biology, demonstrating how sexually transmitted infections amplify HIV spread and establishing that early antiretroviral therapy reduces sexual transmission by 96.4% in the HPTN 052 trial. His laboratory developed critical methods for measuring HIV in genital secretions and characterizing drug pharmacology across anatomical compartments, explaining differential efficacy of prevention strategies between genders. Recent publications (2015) reveal his continued leadership in optimizing HIV prevention through adherence studies in serodiscordant couples, founder virus analysis, early infection detection algorithms, and gender-specific pharmacokinetic modeling. Collectively, these works advance treatment-as-prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation globally. His exceptional contributions are recognized by numerous honors: North Carolina Award for Science (2013) Joseph E. Smadel Lectureship Award (2013) O. Max Gardner Award (2008) Science Magazine Breakthrough of the Year (2011) National Academy of Medicine membership As principal investigator of major NIH-funded trials and director of IGHID, Dr. Cohen secures substantial research funding while mentoring the next generation of global health scientists. His leadership spans the HIV Prevention Trials Network, UNC Center for AIDS Research, and institutional initiatives like the $3M emerging pathogen preparedness program. Through the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, he coordinates worldwide research hubs and training programs that address infectious disease threats across 50+ countries.

Kathleen VincentView profile

Professor

• HIV Prevention
• Biomedical Engineering
• Women's Health
• +6 more

Dr. Kathleen Vincent is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She specializes in Gynecologic Ultrasound and Women's Health Care , with board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Educational Background: Medical Degree and Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch Fellowship: Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB Dr. Vincent's research focuses on HIV/STI prevention , biomedical engineering technologies for women's health, and advanced imaging techniques including high-resolution endoscopic imaging and MicroCT. Her work explores non-hormonal contraceptive methods like antibody-based devices and bioresorbable implants. Notable scientific contributions include the development of SMART polymer contraceptive fibers and liposomal statin therapies for gynecological conditions. Her publications cover topics ranging from thermal burn complications in postmenopausal women to intravaginal ring pharmacokinetics. Scientific Recognition: Golden Apple Teaching Award Scopus h-index: 18 Over 1188 citations As Principal Investigator, she has secured significant grants from institutions like Oak Crest Institute of Science and Mucommune, LLC for projects including: Antibody-based non-hormonal contraception Subdermal HIV prevention implants Sustained antiretroviral delivery systems Dr. Vincent maintains active collaborations with institutions across six health communities, with a research fingerprint emphasizing microbicides , antimicrobial agents , and vaginal drug delivery .

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Molecular Modeling
• +8 more

Thomas W. Bell is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a focus on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. His research group develops small molecules targeting protein translation and degradation pathways for diseases like HIV, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Education Ph.D., University College, University of London (F. Sondheimer), 1980 B.S., California Institute of Technology, 1974 NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University (J. Meinwald), 1980-1982 His work centers on cyclotriazadisulfonamide (CADA) compounds, initially developed for HIV by targeting the CD4 receptor, now expanded to treat cancer, Graves’ disease, and viral infections like SARS-CoV-2. Key methodologies include organic synthesis, molecular modeling, and proteomics to understand co-translational protein degradation mechanisms. Recent studies explore applications in malaria, substance use disorder, and preterm labor therapies. CADA derivatives show broad utility in protein-specific degradation, with trends in publications emphasizing HIV therapy, ER translocation inhibition, and multi-disease targeting. Collaborations span virology, oncology, and pharmacology disciplines. Scientific Awards NIH Postdoctoral Fellow (1980-1982) AAAS Fellow (1995-present) Korean Chemical Society Plaque of Appreciation (2002) UNR College of Science Senior Scholar Mentor (2006) UNR College of Science Westfall Scholar Mentor (2016) UNR Foundation Established Innovator Award (2018) UNR Outstanding Researcher Award (2021)