Ashok Kumar

Dr. Ashok Kumar is a full-time Assistant Professor at Wayne State University with primary appointments in the Department of Ophthalmology (Kresge Eye Institute) and secondary roles in Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry. He holds adjunct and joint appointments at Wayne State and Oakland University.

• B.S. (Medical) from Panjab University
• M.S. (Microbiology) from Kurukshetra University
• Ph.D. (Medical Microbiology) from PGIMER, Chandigarh

His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions in ocular infections, with emphasis on immunomodulation strategies targeting Toll-like receptors and Nod-like receptors. He investigates metabolic regulation of immune responses, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and emerging viral infections like Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2, utilizing omics technologies and systems biology approaches.

Recent publications highlight his work on viral ocular pathogenesis (Zika, SARS-CoV-2), immunometabolism (AMPK, glycolysis), and bacterial endophthalmitis mechanisms. His lab has developed mouse models for fungal infections and pioneered bacteriophage endolysin therapy for antibiotic-resistant strains.

• Research to Prevent Blindness Special Scholar Award
• NIH/NEI R01 grants (EY019888, EY026964)

His work intersects microbiology, immunology, and ophthalmology, with significant contributions to understanding immune cell dynamics, metabolic checkpoints in inflammation resolution, and novel therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases.