Jacques Robert

Jacques Robert, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. His research focuses on understanding immune surveillance, tumor and viral immunity, and the evolutionary biology of immune systems using the amphibian Xenopus as a model. He holds joint credentials in Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Robert earned his Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from the University of Geneva (1990) and a B.A. in Biology from the same institution (1985). He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Rochester and the Basel Institute for Immunology.

His research explores the co-evolution of immune molecules (e.g., heat shock proteins, NK receptors) and their roles in immunity against tumors and viruses. Specific areas include the role of non-classical MHC molecules, innate T cells, and the impact of environmental pollutants on immune function. His lab has pioneered the use of Xenopus in studying amphibian immunology, host-pathogen interactions, and developmental immunotoxicology.

Notable contributions include advanced genomic resources for amphibians, insights into ranavirus and mycobacterial pathogenesis, and mechanisms of immune evasion. His work addresses global biodiversity threats through studies on viral immunity in amphibians.

• Awards: 2019 Trainee Academic Mentoring Award, 2014 Postdoctoral Mentoring Award, Excellence in Research (2013, 2007), and multiple travel awards.
• Grants: NIH NIAID funding for the Xenopus Research Resource for Immunology.
• Labs/Teams: The Robert Lab focuses on comparative immunology, immunotoxicology, and host-pathogen interactions, with collaborations in amphibian conservation.