Joshua Chang Mell

Joshua Chang Mell, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He holds affiliations with the Center for Genomic Sciences and the Center for Advanced Microbial Processing. His research focuses on understanding mechanisms of genetic recombination, bacterial pathogenesis, and genome evolution in pathogens like Haemophilus influenzae. He earned his PhD from the University of California, Davis in 2007.

Key research interests include: (1) genomic analysis of transformation frequency in bacteria, (2) mapping pathogenesis genes using natural transformation and deep sequencing, and (3) tracking bacterial genome changes during chronic infections. His work combines microbiology, molecular genetics, and computational tools.

Collaborations include studies on HIV/microbial interactions, cystic fibrosis lung infections, and biofilm dynamics. He has advised graduate students Kevin Raible and Danielle Piazza, with former lab members contributing to his projects. His publications span topics like bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance, and genomic methodologies.

Recent presentations include a 2025 talk on chronic bacterial biofilm infections. He actively contributes to consortium efforts like the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Research Consortium, leveraging genomic technologies for translational research.