Jeff Bourgeois

Jeff Bourgeois is an Assistant Professor in the Biology & Biotechnology department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He holds a BA from College of the Holy Cross, a PhD from Duke University, and completed postdoctoral training at Tufts Lyme Disease Initiative. His research focuses on understanding pathogen-host interactions, particularly Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease agent) and its enzootic cycle involving Ixodes ticks and vertebrate hosts. The Bourgeois Lab investigates mechanisms driving disease variability, bacterial survival strategies, and potential interventions to disrupt transmission.

Key research areas include:

• Pathogen-host-vector interactions in Lyme disease
• Bacterial adaptation to host environments
• Host immune responses and genetic factors influencing infection outcomes

Recent work explores reservoir-targeted antibiotics, tick-borne transmission dynamics, and bacterial metabolic pathways critical for survival. The lab also investigates therapeutic strategies to mitigate Lyme disease impact. Current projects include studying Borrelia's interactions with Peromyscus reservoir hosts and developing methods to reduce human exposure risks.

No specific student advisees or grant details are listed in the provided information.