The goal of this collaborative research area is to optimize the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases through basic scientific discoveries and translation of these discoveries into clinical practice. Specific areas of expertise include 1) identifying pathogenic mechanisms of organisms and multi-drug resistance, 2) development of novel therapeutics, including protein and small molecule therapeutics, vaccines, microbiome-targeted therapies, immunological-based therapeutics, and other anti-infective technologies, and 3) evaluating population-based epidemiology and health outcomes related to prevention and treatment.
Research approaches in this area include basic science, preclinical animal studies, human clinical trials, pharmacoepidemiology, and implementation science.
Group Leader
Kelly Renee Reveles, Pharm.D., Ph.D., BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Sciences
Dr. Reveles’ long-term research goal is to reduce the incidence and improve the outcomes of healthcare-associated infections by designing, testing, and implementing effective clinical strategies. Her current research focus is the prevention and treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections and innovative methods to improve the translation of clinical research findings into practice.
Faculty Participants: College of Pharmacy
Croyle, Maria A., Ph.D.
Work in Dr. Croyle’s lab focuses on the development of novel methods for rapid immunization against dangerous pathogens like Ebola. Additional projects focus on the long-term physiological effects of virus infection with respect to the immune response and drug metabolism.
Cui, Zhengrong, Ph.D.
Research focuses on rational drug and vaccine delivery including nanoparticles for vaccine and anti-cancer drug delivery, non-invasive immunization onto the skin, and cancer chemo-immunotherapy.
Frei, Christopher R., Pharm.D., M.Sc.
Dr. Frei’s translational research activities involve the application and critical evaluation of novel technologies (including anti-infectives) in both institutional and community healthcare settings. His approach can best be described as a mixture of pharmacoepidemiology, health services research, health disparities research, and microbial genomics.
Lee, Grace, Pharm.D., Ph.D., BCPS
Research focus is the clinical and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections. Her research uses an integrated translational approach to develop innovative S. aureus prevention and treatment strategies
Liu, Hung-wen (Ben), Ph.D.
Liu’s research lies at the crossroads of chemistry and biology. His group is currently working on three general areas with the focus aimed at the elucidation of the mechanisms of novel enzymatic reactions and the design of methods to control and/or regulate their functions.
Smyth, Hugh D., Ph.D.
Work in Dr. Smyth’s lab focuses on the development of novel methods for drug delivery including inhalation, nasal, transdermal, ophthalmic, and oral delivery systems for a variety of diseases. Translation of these technologies to the clinic is the long-term goal of the lab and is supported by developing a mechanistic understanding of the complex physical and biological systems.