Sara Dann

Dr. Sara Dann is an Associate Professor in Internal Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She directs the Postdoctoral Certificate Program and holds a joint appointment in the Center for Tropical Diseases. Her research focuses on understanding host-microbe interactions, particularly how enteric pathogens like Giardia and Cryptosporidium trigger intestinal inflammation and how innate immune responses regulate this process. She investigates mechanisms linking dendritic cells, Th17 cells, and cytokines (e.g., IL-10 and IL-22) to intestinal tolerance and colitis.

Education:

• B.S., University of California, Riverside (1995)
• M.S. & Ph.D., University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston (1999–2005)
• Postdoctoral Training, University of California, San Diego (2008)

Research Interests: Dr. Dann’s work spans infectious diseases, immunology, and inflammatory bowel disease. Key areas include:
- Pathogenesis of microbial-triggered colitis
- Role of microbiota-derived metabolites (e.g., propionate)
- Host defenses against protozoan parasites
- Age-related susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection

Grants/Projects: She leads the Scientific Communication Advances Research Excellence (SCOARE) project (2022–2025), funded by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, aimed at enhancing research communication.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with UTMB’s Center for Tropical Diseases and collaborates on translational projects involving host-directed therapies for infectious diseases.