Neeraj Surana

Neeraj (Neil) Surana, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, holding appointments in Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology. He is also a member of the Duke Cancer Institute.

• MD and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis (2006)
• Completed residency and fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School (2006–2012)

Dr. Surana's research focuses on host-microbiota interactions, particularly how commensal bacteria modulate immune responses and protect against diseases like colitis, metabolic disorders, and viral infections. His work employs gnotobiotic murine models, immunology, microbiology, and bioinformatics to identify immunomodulatory bacterial species and their molecular mechanisms.

Recent studies highlight his discovery of Clostridium immunis and its protective exopolysaccharide, along with groundbreaking insights into microbiota-driven tyrosine metabolism in pediatric COVID-19 severity and tryptophan metabolite-mediated antiviral immunity. Trends in his publications show a strong emphasis on microbiome engineering, immunology, and translational approaches to infectious diseases.

Scientific Awards
• Nature Awards Microbiome Accelerator (2025)
• Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award (2019)
• Pilot and Feasibility Award (2020)

His funded grants include:

• NIAID's Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) (2018–2029)
• NIGMS's Medical Scientist Training Program (2022–2027)
• NIDDK's Duke Training Grant in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (1988–2027)