Animal and public health is seriously threatened by viral, bacterial, and parasitic infectious diseases. These diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming at least 17 million human lives, and indeterminable numbers of animals each year.
With a focus on cutting edge techniques and both basic and translational science, the department is working to address all aspects of infectious diseases. Our strengths lie in immunology, vaccinology, drug discovery, and investigation of host-pathogen interactions, and our graduate programs are highly sought after.
Additionally, our research program is tackling the world’s greatest challenges, such as searching for ways to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
From teaching to research to service, our faculty are highly collaborative—working with other UGA departments and universities on high-level research—and dedicated to providing expertise in disease diagnosis as part of our veterinary diagnostic labs in Athens and Tifton.
For those interested in a research-driven career in academia or industry, we offer a PhD in Infectious Diseases. We also offer master’s degree programs and participate in the College’s DVM-PhD dual degree program.
January
Sebastien Gagneux, Swiss TPH/University of Basel Cancelled
11:10 AM Monday, January 11, 2021
Ana Bento, PhD, Indiana University Cancelled
11:10 AM Monday, January 25, 2021
February
Aaron P. Mitchell, UGA-Microbiology
“Circuit diversification in the Candida albicans biofilm regulatory network”
11:10 AM Monday, February 1, 2021
Stevie Stigler and Liz Cheely, UGA Counseling Services
“UGA Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) Mental Health Seminar ”
11:10 AM Monday, February 8, 2021
Andrew Pekosz, Johns Hopkins University
“Influenza Virus Surveillance and the Identification of Novel Genetic Mutations that Facilitate Virus Circulation”
11:10 AM Monday, February 15, 2021
Dr. Surender Khurana
“Immune markers of disease severity and resolution of COVID-19”
11:10 AM Friday, February 19, 2021
March
Dr. Dennis Metzger
“The Role of Host Immunity in Influenza-Pneumococcal Superinfections”
11:10 AM Monday, March 1, 2021
Kara Wyatt Doctoral Defense
Dr. Wendy Watford, Major Professor
“Tpl2 Functions in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells in Constrain Interferon Production and Pulmonary Fibrosis During Influenza A Virus Infection”
1:15 PM Friday, March 5, 2021
Dr. John Stambas
“Understanding host responses to improve influenza virus immunity”
4:00 PM Monday, March 8, 2021
Dr. Subbaya Subramanian
“Regulation of Antitumor Immune Response in Colorectal Cancer”
11:10 AM Monday, March 15, 2021
Dr. Jane Hodgkinson, University of Liverpool
“Are we nearly there yet? Mapping triclabendazole resistance genes in the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica”
11:10 AM Monday, March 22, 2021
Dr. Stephen Turner, Monash University (Australia) Cancelled
11:10 AM Monday, March 29, 2021
April
Dr. Raul Barletta, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
“Development of DIVA and Autolytic Attenuated Vaccines against Johne’s Disease and Other Mycobacterial Infections”
11:10 AM Monday, April 5, 2021
Jessica Ramadhin Doctoral Defense
Dr. Donald Harn, Major Professor
“A Comparison of Lacto-N-Fucopentaose III (LNFPIII) and Lacto-N-Neotetraose (LNnT) Conjugates as Therapies to Improve Immune and Metabolic Parameters and Alter the Microbiome in Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) Mice”
12:30 PM Monday, April 5, 2021
Dr. Joseph Turner
“Type-2 Activated Macrophanges During Filarial Nematode Infection: Heroes or Villains?”
11:10 AM Monday, April 12, 2021
Harry Ma Doctoral Defense
Dr. Eric Harvill, Major Professor
“Colonization, Persistence and Transmission of Bordetella spp.“
1:00 PM Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Emily Rayens Doctoral Defense
Dr. Karen Norris, Major Professor
“Development of Vaccines for Invasive Fungal Infections”
11:00 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2021
Dr. Andrew Bean
“Tailoring the Host Immune Response for Enhanced Vaccine Production”
4:00 PM Monday, April 19, 2021
Steven B. Bradfute, PhD
11:10 AM Monday, April 26, 2021
May
Elke Mühlberger, PhD
11:10 AM Monday, May 3, 2021
