Institute for Infectious & Zoonotic Diseases


More than three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans are zoonotic. In the past two decades, outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, swine influenza, avian influenza, West Nile virus, SARS CoV-2 — and others — have occurred around the world. Other established infections, such as malaria and dengue, continue to be a global concern.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance to infections – particularly in hospital settings –  creates a public health blind spot, while emerging and re-emerging infectious zoonotic agents continue to grow at alarming speed.

Our Mission

Integrating the core values of One Health, expand research of infectious agents and advance our ability to react to new diseases - both locally and globally - for the benefit of populations and communities. Align our educational initiatives to support and develop the infectious disease workforce of tomorrow.


Why Penn Vet

We have one of the largest zoonotic disease programs in the nation, rooted in our extensive faculty network and distinctive geography. Penn Vet’s campus in Philadelphia neighbors the University of Pennsylvania’s twelve schools, including the medical and nursing schools, and the School of Arts and Sciences. Our New Bolton Center campus is surrounded by a region densely populated with dairy farms and agriculture. This topography brings Penn’s scientists together with incredible resources spurring cross-disciplinary collaboration to tackle monumental challenges, from chronic and fatal disease to biosecurity and antimicrobial stewardship, to climate change.

Penn Vet is a valuable partner to industry, specifically to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, as well as to several leading regional and national laboratory networks and health commissions. 

IIZD Funding Opportunities

Application Deadline: February 21, 2025 

IIZD Pilot Awards

IIZD is offering pilot funding to support innovative research. All proposals must involve a PennVet faculty member as PI or Co-Investigator. 

Infectious Disease Pilots: Awards of up to $30,000 are available for infectious disease research projects including viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, prions, or co-infections.

mRNA Research Pilots: Awards of up to $150,000 are available for basic or translational mRNA research projects. These pilots are jointly supported by IIZD and the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.

IIZD Fellowship Awards

IIZD is offering predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships to trainees studying infectious or zoonotic diseases in humans, agricultural and domestic animals, or wildlife. Awards provide $35,000 per year for up to two years. 

Fellowships are open to trainees from Penn, CHOP, and Wistar. Applicants do not need to be US citizens but must hold a position at an eligible institution. Candidates from LMICs and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Proposals for pilot awards and fellowships are due February 21, 2025. Submission guidelines and details for the Pilot and Fellowship. Email us with any questions.