Monique Van Hoek

Dr. Monique Van Hoek is a Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and Associate Director of Research at the School of Systems Biology, George Mason University. Her work focuses on antibiotic-resistant and biothreat bacteria, particularly Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. Dr. Van Hoek leads the DRGN Lab, where her team investigates bacterial pathogenesis, physiology, communication, biofilms, and quorum sensing. She also develops novel antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds, with special emphasis on antimicrobial peptides effective against multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Dr. Van Hoek earned her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Virginia in 1997.

Dr. Van Hoek's research spans multiple areas of bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial development. Her laboratory studies:

• Antibiotic-resistant and biothreat bacteria, especially Francisella tularensis
• Bacterial small-molecule communication, biofilms, and quorum sensing
• Development of novel antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds, particularly antimicrobial peptides
• Wound healing approaches for infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens
• Application of nanotechnology for pathogen detection and treatment

Her work bridges microbiology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology to address the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Van Hoek's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on antimicrobial peptides, particularly those inspired by natural sources like Komodo dragons and alligators. Her research shows increasing integration of computational methods for peptide design and prediction. There's also a clear trend toward applied research, with work on practical applications like wound dressings, diagnostic tools using nanotraps, and treatments for multidrug-resistant infections. The research consistently addresses the urgent need for new approaches to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Dr. Van Hoek has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to teaching, mentoring, and research:

• College of Science Dean's Impact Award (2021)
• OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award (sustaining) (2020)
• Research Exemplar Award, Washington University, St. Louis (2016)
• Mentoring Award, OSCAR Students as Scholars program, George Mason University (2013)
• Teaching Award, College of Science, George Mason University (2011)
• Virginia Academy of Science J. Shelton Horsley Research Award (2009)

Dr. Van Hoek actively mentors students through the OSCAR Students as Scholars program at George Mason University, for which she has received multiple mentoring awards. She is currently seeking new PhD students with cross-disciplinary interests in small-molecule chromatography, bioinformatics, and bacteriology. Her research is supported by grants that enable work on antimicrobial peptides, biofilm research, and pathogen detection technologies, though specific grant details are not provided in the available information.

Dr. Van Hoek leads the DRGN Lab at George Mason University, which focuses on antimicrobial peptide research, particularly those inspired by Komodo dragons. Her team collaborates with researchers across disciplines, including bioinformatics experts for computational peptide design, nanotechnology specialists for pathogen detection tools, and clinicians for translational applications. The lab maintains active partnerships with the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) at George Mason University.