David AuCoin

Dr. David AuCoin is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR MED). He also holds a position in the Cell and Molecular Biology department and serves as Director of the Hybridoma Laboratory. Dr. AuCoin co-founded DxDiscovery in 2013 and has been actively involved in developing diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases.

• Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNR MED (2019-present)
• Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, UNR MED (2015-present)
• Co-Founder and CSO, DxDiscovery, Reno, Nevada (2013-present)
• Director, Hybridoma Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNR MED (2005-present)

Dr. AuCoin received his educational training at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Nevada, Reno:

• Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno (2002)
• M.S., Biology, University of Nevada, Reno (1999)
• B.S., Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1993)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University (2003-2005)

His research laboratory focuses on developing diagnostics and therapeutics for infectious diseases, with current funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and multiple Department of Defense Agencies. Dr. AuCoin developed the innovative 'In vivo Microbial Antigen Discovery' (InMAD) platform technology to identify secreted microbial antigens for disease diagnosis. His work primarily targets pathogens causing melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei), invasive aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus), and tularemia (Francisella tularensis). He has also contributed to Ebola virus diagnostic development and SARS-CoV-2 testing research.

Analysis of Dr. AuCoin's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced immunoassay technologies, particularly lateral flow and vertical flow immunoassays enhanced with nanomaterials like gold nanostars. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with practical diagnostic applications, with increasing emphasis on point-of-care testing, biothreat detection, and multiplexed platforms for pathogen identification. The research spans from basic antigen discovery to clinical validation of diagnostic tools.

Dr. AuCoin has successfully mentored numerous graduate students and researchers, with a current lab comprising graduate students, research scientists, and staff research associates. His laboratory work is supported by significant external funding from federal agencies focused on infectious disease diagnostics and biodefense applications.

Dr. AuCoin contributes to medical education by lecturing on medical microbiology to School of Medicine students and played a key role in establishing the undergraduate Microbiology and Immunology major through the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno.