With niche strengths in immunology and host-pathogen interactions, Penn Vet is an integral part of the biomedical community here at the University of Pennsylvania. We bring a valuable and significant component to the investigation, surveillance, and prevention of zoonotic emerging and reemerging infectious diseases within local, regional, and global contexts.
Finding answers to local problems that lead to global solutions
Our team is uniquely positioned to:
- Direct and administer basic research on pathogenesis of infectious agents
- Validate vaccine candidates for infectious diseases
- Leverage new and existing diagnostic tools to accelerate comprehensive surveillance of wildlife health
- Activate and inform an array of investigative and diagnostic information networks across multiple states
- Expand the skill-sets of veterinarians, infectious disease specialists, and public health professionals to address a wide range of potential disease scenarios
The 2023 Martin and Pamela Winter Infectious Disease Pre-Doctoral Fellows
Abigail Daniels, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Investigating the molecular mechanisms of gamete interaction in Cryptosporidium
Mentor: Boris Striepen, PhD, Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Christien Patrick M. Exconde, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Uncovering and characterizing the mechanism of Toxoplasma gondii induced pyroptosis
Mentor: Cornelius Taabazuing, PhD; Assistant Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Kevin Mears, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Investigating the role of interferon lambda in protection against severe Clostridioides difficile infection
Mentor: Michael C. Abt, PhD; Assistant Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania