Robert A. Bonomo

Robert A. Bonomo, MD, holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Molecular Biology and Microbiology at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Cleveland Center for Membrane & Structural Biology and serves as Vice Chair for Veteran Affairs at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. His primary research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, particularly the structure-function studies of Class A beta-lactamases. He investigates how beta-lactamase inhibitors neutralize these enzymes, how they hydrolyze advanced cephalosporins, and the impact of mutations on enzyme expression.

Education: Dr. Bonomo earned his Doctor of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University in 1983 and a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College in 1976. His interdisciplinary collaborations include work with researchers such as Dr. Curtis J. Donskey and Dr. Louis B. Rice, focusing on penicillin-resistant PBPs and the epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).

Research Interests: His studies span antibiotic resistance mechanisms, beta-lactamase inhibitors, and molecular epidemiology. He leads a lab with key members Andrea M. Hujer and Christopher R. Bethel, advancing insights into bacterial resistance and drug design.

Professional Roles: Beyond academia, he contributes to clinical care and antimicrobial stewardship, addressing pressing challenges in infectious diseases and HIV medicine.