Justin Schaal

Justin Schaal, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Research Pathology at the University of Southern California (USC). His research focuses on antimicrobial peptides, host-directed therapies, and infectious disease mechanisms, particularly investigating rhesus theta defensins (RTD-1) for treating bacterial, fungal, and autoimmune-related infections. His work spans preclinical models of sepsis, arthritis, and respiratory infections, emphasizing drug safety, pharmacokinetics, and immune modulation.

Key research interests include developing novel antimicrobial agents, understanding host-pathogen interactions, and targeting inflammatory pathways. His publications highlight RTD-1's efficacy in suppressing proinflammatory cytokines, improving survival rates in sepsis models, and addressing multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Schaal collaborates on translational studies bridging basic immunology and clinical applications.

Publications since 2008 demonstrate sustained contributions to antimicrobial peptide research, with recent work (2022) advancing RTD-1's preclinical pharmacology. His research integrates cellular biology, pharmacology, and microbiology to address unmet clinical needs in infectious diseases.