Vaneet Arora

Vaneet Arora, MD, MPH is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology for UK HealthCare, and Director of the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory. His career integrates clinical service, public-health leadership, and translational research focused on infectious-disease diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship, and healthcare-associated infections.

Education:

• MBBS – University College of Medical Sciences, 1993
• MD in Microbiology – University College of Medical Sciences, 1999
• MPH – University of Texas, 2009
• Childhood Immunizations Fellowship – University of Texas, 2007

Research Interests:
Dr. Arora’s scholarship spans clinical microbiology, molecular epidemiology, and diagnostic stewardship. He investigates rapid pathogen detection platforms, the clinical impact of multiplex PCR panels, optimization of antimicrobial therapy for resistant Gram-negative bacilli, and the prevention and management of Clostridioides difficile infection. Additional foci include fungal diagnostics—particularly cryptococcal antigen testing—and outbreak investigations involving emerging respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

Publication Trends:
Across 27 peer-reviewed articles (2002-2021) and three book chapters, his work demonstrates a sustained emphasis on translating laboratory advances into patient-care improvements. Early Delhi-based studies addressed typhoid and leptospirosis diagnostics, while subsequent U.S.-based research has concentrated on healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial pharmacokinetics, and quality assurance of molecular diagnostic platforms. Recent outputs reflect leadership roles in public-health responses, including neonatal screening algorithm enhancement and COVID-19 outbreak containment in skilled-nursing facilities.

Professional Service & Leadership:

• Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology, UK HealthCare
• Director, Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory
• Faculty mentor and residency/fellowship educator within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Laboratory Teams & Programs:
Dr. Arora oversees teams conducting bacteriology, mycology, virology, parasitology, and molecular diagnostics for a tertiary-care academic medical center and the state public-health laboratory. He leads diagnostic-stewardship initiatives that align laboratory testing with clinical decision support to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.