Caroline Westwater

Caroline Westwater, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical & Community Health Sciences at the College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on host-microbial interactions, microbial pathogenesis, and the application of gnotobiotic animal models to understand infection and immunity. She has pioneered work in bacteriophage-based diagnostics and antimicrobial therapies, with significant contributions to Candida albicans virulence mechanisms and microbiome-driven skeletal health. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges microbiology, immunology, and clinical applications.

Key research themes include: (1) Understanding how commensal microbiota regulate skeletal growth and disease, (2) Developing phage-based detection systems for pathogens like Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, and (3) Investigating Candida cell wall dynamics and host immune responses. Her work has led to advancements in both fundamental microbiology and translational medical technologies.

Dr. Westwater's publications span over three decades, demonstrating sustained contributions to infectious disease research. Notable achievements include seminal studies on Candida pathogenesis (1995-2007), phage therapy innovations (2003-2013), and recent breakthroughs linking gut microbiota to bone health (2020-2023). Her current work emphasizes microbiome-host interactions during adolescence and antibiotic impacts on skeletal development.

While no specific awards are listed, her extensive publication record and sustained federal funding (implied through collaborative grants) reflect her impactful contributions to biomedical sciences. She collaborates widely with researchers in microbiology, immunology, and biomedical engineering, maintaining an active laboratory focused on translational microbiology.