Caroline Genco

Caroline Genco, Ph.D. serves as Provost and Senior Vice President, and Arthur E. Spiller Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. She holds appointments across multiple programs including Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Immunology Program, Molecular Microbiology Program, and MS in Pharmacology & Drug Development Program.

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Rochester, USA, 1987
• Master of Science, University of Rochester, USA, 1984
• Bachelor of Science, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, USA, 1981

Dr. Genco's research program focuses on chronic inflammation and the microbiome's role in systemic inflammatory disorders. Her laboratory has defined specific innate immune signaling pathways that contribute to pathogen-induced chronic inflammation. Current studies examine the association between microbially induced inflammation and atherosclerosis, with expanding work in pancreatic cancer. She utilizes in vitro models of endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, and dendritic cells, as well as defined animal models of inflammation. Her translational work encompasses clinical studies evaluating immunological and microbiological responses following acute inflammatory diseases induced by sexually transmitted infections, particularly gonorrhea. A major long-term goal of her research is to develop a vaccine to treat sexually transmitted infections with emphasis on prevention of secondary complications in women.

Analysis of Dr. Genco's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. Her work spans from basic research on bacterial regulatory mechanisms to clinical epidemiological studies conducted in China. She has increasingly focused on vaccine development against gonorrhea, with multiple publications on candidate vaccine antigens and pre-clinical evaluation. Her research also extends to broader topics including microbiome effects on inflammation, innovative approaches to public health challenges like SARS-CoV2 surveillance, and academic leadership issues related to team science.

Scientific Awards:

• Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM®) Class of 2017-2018 Fellow

Dr. Genco has mentored graduate students including Nick Franks (PhD Student in Molecular Microbiology) and Ashwini Sunkavalli (PhD Student in Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology). Her research has been supported by numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health, including projects on gonococcal vaccine development, microbial disruption of dendritic cell function, and the relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis and pancreatic carcinogenesis. She has also received funding from Vaxcyte, Inc. and Wellcome Leap Inc. for vaccine-related research, as well as from The Andrew W Mellon Foundation for the Mellon Bridge Professorship.

Dr. Genco leads "The Caroline Genco Lab" which focuses on immune mediated diseases and the microbiome. Her laboratory examines the interplay between the innate and adaptive immune system and the regulatory pathways that contribute to endogenous and microbial ligand induced chronic inflammation. The lab has developed model systems for studying mucosal pathogens and their interactions with host cells, with particular expertise in Porphyromonas gingivalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.