Joseph Duncan

Joseph Duncan, MD, PhD, FIDSA is Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, with dual appointments in the Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Pharmacology. He serves as Director of Medicine for the Physician Scientist Training Program and Associate Director for Research in the Internal Medicine Residency program. Additionally, he directs UNC's Infectious Diseases Fellowship Training Program and is a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Duncan's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, particularly in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and NLR inflammasome biology. His laboratory investigates how bacterial pathogens interact with host immune responses to influence infection pathogenesis, with special emphasis on NOD-like receptors (NLRs), inflammasome activation, and immune evasion strategies. His team has made significant contributions to understanding how N. gonorrhoeae suppresses host antigen-presenting cells and manipulates immune responses.

His recent publications (2018-2025) demonstrate a consistent research trajectory in bacterial pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Neisseria species, Staphylococcus aureus, and viral infections. The work spans molecular mechanisms, human challenge models, vaccine development, and diagnostic approaches, with increasing emphasis on cross-species protective immunity and novel therapeutic strategies.

• Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (FIDSA)
• Extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Nature, Immunity, PLoS Pathogens, and Journal of Immunology
• Significant contributions to understanding NLRP3 inflammasome activation mechanisms
• Pioneering work on human experimental infection models for gonorrhea

Dr. Duncan has mentored numerous trainees through UNC's Physician Scientist Training Program and Infectious Diseases Fellowship. His laboratory collaborates extensively with researchers at UNC and other institutions, particularly on projects involving human challenge models and vaccine development. He maintains active research programs investigating both fundamental immunological mechanisms and translational applications for infectious disease prevention and treatment.