Cristina R Costales

Cristina R Costales is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology at the University of Southern California (USC). She specializes in clinical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and infectious diseases, with a focus on developing automated diagnostic tools and investigating emerging pathogens. Her work bridges laboratory medicine, virology, and public health, particularly in resource-limited settings and immunocompromised populations. Dr. Costales has contributed to advancements in metagenomic sequencing, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, and outbreak investigations involving Rift Valley fever and tuberculosis.

Her research interests encompass the application of machine learning in pathology, the molecular mechanisms of viral immune evasion, and the clinical utility of novel diagnostic assays. Notable projects include the development of an automated vision transformer framework for blood culture analysis and the evaluation of Xpert Ultra for tuberculosis detection in Tanzania. She has also investigated immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in immunosuppressed patients and vaccine-associated complications in measles.

Dr. Costales’ publications span over a decade, reflecting expertise in both clinical and translational research. Her work frequently addresses diagnostic challenges in tropical diseases, pediatric infections, and rare tumor cases. Despite no listed awards or grants, her contributions to improving diagnostic accuracy and public health responses are evident through her extensive publication record.