ACS Infectious Diseases highlights the contributions of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars researching within the various subfields covered in the journal.
From the devastating epidemics of the last millennium such as plague, flu, etc. to the most recent global COVID pandemic, our battles with infectious diseases and pathogens have long shaped the trajectory of human health, society and science. The field of infectious diseases research remains one of the most crucial and vital areas of exploration, innovation and clinical translation.
Today, as the world gears up to face new microbial threats, a new generation of researchers is stepping up to ask bold questions and seek transformative solutions. ACS Infectious Diseases recognizes it is imperative that we support a new wave of researchers in this discipline and their collective research efforts as a means of advancing this field forward. We reached out to our Editorial and Advisory Board members and asked for their input on Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers that we could interview. The interviews presented here offer a rare glimpse into the ideas, motivations, and aspirations which are driving these early-career researchers. We asked them about their ongoing research, the directions which they aim to explore next, and their views on where this field of research is heading in the coming years. Their answers reflect a diverse and deeply engaged global community, united by a shared urgency to better identify, understand and eventually address the challenges associated with microbial pathogens and infectious diseases.
We have perspectives from young researchers at different stages of their doctoral or post doctoral journeys, working on almost all aspects of infectious diseases research, ranging from therapy, host-pathogen interactions, pathogenesis mechanisms, drug resistance, diagnosis, etc. and covering a diversity of pathogens and model systems, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses as well as parasites.
What emerged from this effort is not merely a collection of career trajectories and opinions. Rather, this interview series is actually providing a map of where infectious diseases may be heading in the coming decades. Our young scientists are well aware and seized about the changing paradigms in the field, and the shift towards interdisciplinary research approaches for a more robust response to the challenges. Their responses to the areas of interest that they would like to pursue in their next career stage are quite frankly an eye opener. The comprehensive thought, and diversity in the topics astounds a keen reader. One is assured that the next decade will see pioneering research on so many themes, such as intracellular pathogenesis, host-microbiome and host-pathogen interactions, bacterial persistence and biofilms, RNA-targeting therapies for infection, antimicrobial therapy for complicated infections, microbiome-driven therapy, bioinformatics, new diagnostic modalities, explorations into the infection-inflammation axis, microbial stress response, and last but not the least, antimicrobial stewardship!
The composite outlook of our young researchers is a refreshing perspective on the field, and we are positive that our readers will enjoy reading this interview series. Along with highlighting some of our young researchers, this initiative will also spark a refreshing conversation on redefining the next decade for our field.
Learn more about these early career researchers and their view on the field of infectious diseases below.
Yash Acharya
I am pursuing a Ph.D. with Prof. Jayanta Haldar at JNCASR, Bengaluru, India. My research interests include the development of dual-functional small molecules to tackle drug-resistant pathogens and mitigate antigen-responsive hyperinflammation. Along with mitigating AMR, understanding host-pathogen interactions and tackling non-inherited forms of phenotypic resistance, such as biofilms, metabolically repressed antibiotic tolerant cells, intracellular bacteria, is the goal of my work. It has been my endeavour to understand the physiology of infection and host-pathogen interactions and then bridge this with the understanding of antibiotic chemistry to emerge with new and robust solutions to AMR.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinarity has been at the heart of my research in infectious diseases. Coming from a chemistry background and working across microbiology, immunology, and chemical biology, I’ve realized that real innovation often lies between disciplines. Insights from biophysics, computational modeling, and immunology have helped us understand mechanisms of membrane perturbation, host-pathogen interactions, and immune modulation. The exchange of ideas across fields not only broadened my scientific perspective but also enabled the design of multifunctional therapeutics that go beyond traditional antibiotics. I believe future breakthroughs in infectious disease research will rely heavily on such cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I am a regular reader of ACS Infectious Diseases. As one of the few journals with such a broad and interdisciplinary focus on infectious disease research, it’s an essential resource for me. I began actively following the journal during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to stay updated on emerging insights into SARS-CoV-2. Over time, it became a habit to browse new articles, reviews, and perspectives weekly. Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to content on bacterial pathogenesis, intracellular infections, and host-pathogen interactions, as these align closely with my current research interests and future goals.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
Given the versatility of microbial pathogens, and their immense ability to overcome everything that we throw at them, infectious diseases research in this field is akin to a continuous battle against a hydra-like opponent. However, the next decade looks very promising. I believe that the upcoming decade will be shaped by the integration of omics-based approaches, big data analytics, and AI-driven drug discovery, requiring innovation and sustained efforts from researchers across the fields. Advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics are already transforming how we study pathogen evolution, host responses, and resistance mechanisms. Coupled with machine learning, these datasets can uncover hidden patterns and accelerate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and predictive models.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
I have always been fascinated by the field of host-pathogen interactions, especially in the context of intracellular bacterial infections. While significant progress has been made, many questions remain about how pathogens manipulate host processes to survive and replicate. In the next stage of my career, I want to explore the mechanisms of bacterial persistence within host cells, and how these can be targeted through host-directed therapeutics. Understanding these interactions at the molecular level could lead to novel strategies to combat chronic and relapsing infections, where conventional antibiotics often fall short.
Veena Ammanathan
My career in Life Sciences began with an engineering degree in Biotechnology from Anna University, India (2009-2013). I then pursued an Integrated Ph.D. (MS–Ph.D.) in Molecular Biology at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), India (2013–2020), where my doctoral research focused on unravelling the mechanistic aspects of autophagy to enhance host defence against bacterial infections. Following my Ph.D., I initiated an independent research project on host–pathogen interactions at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), India, supported by funding from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Currently, I am working as an Early Career Fellow- DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance at CDRI. My ongoing research explores the role of peroxisomes in the context of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), intending to understand their contribution to host immune regulation.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinary research in infectious diseases is essential, as managing infections extends beyond identifying pathogens and prescribing antibiotics. Progress in healthcare relies on integrating biology with fields such as engineering, technology, epidemiology, and sociology. My research focuses on IBD, a complex and multifactorial condition influenced by genetic, microbial, and environmental factors. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of the disease. In our studies, we collaborate closely with clinical gastroenterologists to evaluate the disease severity of colonoscopy samples. We then use immunological assays to profile cytokine responses and assess immune cell activity. Additionally, I investigate inflammation-associated bacteria involved in IBD-related dysbiosis to better understand their role in disease progression and prognosis.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
ACS Infectious Diseases encompasses a broad spectrum of core areas, with a strong focus on advancing our understanding of infectious diseases through both chemical and biological research lenses. I am especially drawn to topics such as host–pathogen interactions, drug resistance, and the development of new therapeutics. Beyond full-length research articles, I find the ‘Perspectives’ and ‘Viewpoints’ sections particularly engaging, providing timely insights into emerging themes and evolving directions in the field. Additionally, I find the ‘Special Issues’ incredibly useful as they bring together a lot of valuable content on a single theme, which helps me stay informed and think more deeply about where my own research fits in.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
In my opinion, the immediate future of infectious diseases is likely to be global health preparedness. Researchers are integrating AI tools to predict microbial mutations and new drug candidates. Genomic surveillance, powered by these technologies, offers tremendous potential for controlling pandemic outbreaks and addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Special mention should be given to global initiatives by international organizations and governments, such as the WHO, to recognize AMR's urgency. Additionally, the increased sequencing of both pathogen and host genomes is paving the way for more accurate disease identification and treatment outcomes predictions. Looking ahead, the integration of multi-omics approaches, including proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, may enable more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
We clearly know that microbial cells in the human body outnumber human cells and perform essential functions that shape host physiology. With the advent of sequencing technologies, analysing the microbiome composition has become much easier. Research has shown that the delicate balance of microbial communities is often disrupted in disease states, affecting host health in profound ways. I am particularly interested in understanding how metabolites derived from the human microbiota contribute to cellular health. These metabolites can function as immune modulators, either dampening inflammation or promoting it, highlighting their dual potential to be both protective and harmful. This makes them especially intriguing candidates for therapeutic exploration in diseases such as IBD.
Samantha Bann
I am a post-doctoral research associate specialising in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) via the development of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). I am based in the Cochrane lab at Queen’s University Belfast where I have worked on multiple projects to combat drug-resistant pathogens, including both linear and cyclic AMPs. Peptide research then transcended into the stereoselective synthesis of branched difunctionalised lipids that are ubiquitous throughout natural products. The development of this novel synthetic route offers a blueprint for libraries of branched lipids with defined stereochemistry that may be required in the synthesis of essential natural products.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinary research accelerates the discovery of new drug candidates that can target drug-resistant pathogens and curb the effects of antimicrobial resistance. The major benefit of working on a collaborative project is the ability to approach the problem from different angles, harnessing the skills of various scientists to achieve the best and most rapid results possible. Along the pipeline of novel antimicrobial discoveries, computational chemists help guide research into potential hit compounds via mining through extensive databases to provide extremely accurate proposals for new drugs to be made. Following the synthesis of these compounds, microbiologists help to determine their in vivo efficacy and safety, enabling guided research into further optimised antimicrobials.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
ACS Infectious Diseases provides a broad scope of research that is beneficial to any researcher working at the interface of chemistry and biology as it showcases the importance of both fields in the fight against infectious diseases. Given my research area, I am drawn to publications related to AMR, specifically strategies to overcome resistant bacteria, development of new antimicrobial therapies, as well as the progression of resistance patterns. Other areas of interest include vaccine development and biomarkers for disease detection.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
As an early career researcher in the field of infectious diseases, I expect the landscape to shift significantly in the coming decades. AMR remains the focal point of infectious disease research due to its global implications, both from a public health and economic perspective. However, as evidenced by the most recent global pandemic, the emergence of new viral infections can have devastating impacts across the globe. In light of this, one would expect research efforts to shift towards global surveillance and early detection of virus outbreaks, while simultaneously discovering new vaccines, to help safeguard economies and minimise loss of life.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
It's an exciting time to be working at the interface of chemical biology and public health, as new and increasingly concerning pathogens emerge on a regular basis that need solutions. While staying within the field of antimicrobial resistance, I’m particularly interested in exploring the commercialisation side of research and development - especially given the lack of sustained investment from big pharma in this area. Novel drug delivery systems are also an interesting avenue of research, since improving the efficacy and pharmacokinetic profiles of antimicrobials are of high importance. Despite systemic reports continuously predicting a bleak outlook for the future of public health, scientific research is constantly evolving, and new innovations offer a sense of optimism that the outlook may not be as grim as it seems.
Yaron Bram
I completed my Ph.D. in Prof. Ehud Gazit’s lab at Tel Aviv University, where I investigated the early self-assembly mechanisms of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a process implicated in type 2 diabetes. As a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Robert E. Schwartz’s lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, my research focuses on identifying host–virus interactions that regulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in hepatocytes. Utilizing stem cell–derived hepatocytes, primary human hepatocytes, and humanized liver mouse models, we aim to uncover key molecular factors that govern HBV persistence and replication, ultimately contributing to the development of targeted antiviral therapeutics which currently are not available for chronic infected patients.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases present a complex global health challenges due to their dynamic nature, intricate host–pathogen interactions, and rapid evolutionary capacity. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the disease mechanisms, identifying novel therapeutic targets, and advancing effective diagnostics and treatments. For example, our recently published study emerged from a successful collaboration between three labs with complementary expertise in virology, chemical biology, and epigenetics. We demonstrated that early in infection, HBV hijacks host chromatin architecture to activate its own genes—resolving a long-standing question in HBV biology and revealing an anticancer drug candidate that may inhibit chronic infection at low doses.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I follow publications in ACS Infectious Diseases, with a particular interest in research on molecular virus–host interactions and viral self-assembly. This closely aligns with my Ph.D. work on the self-assembly of amyloidogenic proteins. I am especially interested in studies that use biochemical and structural biology approaches to dissect how viruses co-opt host cellular machinery to initiate and sustain infection. Gaining mechanistic insight into these processes not only advances our understanding of viral biology but also have the potential to identify new targets for more effective antiviral therapeutics.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of both basic and translational research in understanding and reducing infectious diseases. Currently, ongoing global shifts are intensifying the threat of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Changes in temperature, precipitation, and land use are expanding the habitats of disease vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, allowing pathogens to spread into previously unaffected regions. Additionally, environmental disruptions are destabilizing ecosystems and altering animal migration patterns, increasing interactions among wildlife, livestock, and humans—conditions that heighten the risk of zoonotic spillover. These evolving challenges highlight the urgent need for both basic and translational research and the development of more sensitive and efficient tools for pathogen detection, analysis, and rapid therapeutic intervention.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was discovered over 50 years ago, yet more than 300 million people worldwide remain chronically infected, resulting in nearly one million deaths each year—despite the availability of an effective vaccine. Chronic HBV infection, which currently has no cure, places individuals at high risk of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus persists due to the formation of a chromatinized minichromosome (cccDNA). Despite decades of research, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how this viral reservoir is regulated and whether it can be fully eradicated. Using high-resolution techniques, I aim to further characterize key steps in the virus life cycle. This work not only holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies but may also yield broader insights into viral persistence and the molecular cascade underlying cancer development.
Camila Carvalho
I’m a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering in Prof. Anita Shukla’s lab at Brown University. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 2022, where I worked in Prof. Jeannine Coburn’s lab, developing hydrogels for the controlled release of cancer therapeutics. My current research focuses on developing novel therapeutics for treating fungal infections using nanoengineered materials (i.e., liposomes) and smart hydrogels. I’m passionate about advancing drug delivery systems and engineering therapeutics with antimicrobial properties. My broader research interests include infectious diseases, nanoengineering, women’s health, and investigating biomaterial-based strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinarity has been essential to my research in infectious diseases. For example, I collaborate with Dr. Richard Bennett’s lab at Brown, whose expertise in transcriptomic analysis has significantly enriched my work. Through this collaboration, I’ve been able to assess gene expression changes in fungal pathogens upon exposure to biomaterials, providing critical insight into their mechanisms of action. This exchange of knowledge between fields (e.g., biomaterials, microbiology, and genomics) has allowed me to ask more meaningful research questions and develop more targeted therapeutic strategies. Bridging disciplines not only accelerates innovation but also leads to more holistic and impactful solutions in infectious disease research.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I regularly read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases, especially studies focused on Candida albicans infections and emerging therapeutics. I’m particularly interested in work that explores novel anti-fungal strategies, including those that go beyond traditional drug treatments. Drug-free approaches, such as immune modulation, microbiome-based therapies, or material-driven antifungal responses, are especially exciting to me, as they represent innovative solutions to the growing challenge of antifungal resistance. I was especially excited to see the new Special Issue on Fungal Pathogens, which highlights cutting-edge research in this area and the critical need for innovation in antifungal research.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I see the field of infectious diseases growing rapidly over the next decade, driven by advances in diagnostics, vaccine development, and novel therapeutic strategies, especially those leveraging the microbiome. I believe the field is shifting toward more targeted, drug-free approaches that can help mitigate the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. This includes biomaterial-based interventions, engineered probiotics, and immunomodulatory therapies. As the field continues to integrate synthetic biology and bioengineering, I’m excited about the potential for innovative, personalized solutions that not only treat but also prevent infections in a more sustainable and effective way.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
After my Ph.D., I’m particularly interested in leveraging the microbiome to develop novel therapies for microbial infections, with a focus on women’s health and gut health. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis remains an under-addressed condition that significantly impacts quality of life, and current treatments often fall short due to resistance or recurrence. I’m eager to explore how engineered probiotics and microbiome-modulating strategies can provide targeted, long-lasting solutions. Similarly, understanding gut-microbiome interactions could open new avenues for treating fungal and bacterial infections systemically, while also promoting overall health through microbiome resilience and balance.
Karen Cheng
I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies at the Leibniz-HKI working under supervision of Dr. Mark Gresnigt. With my P.hD. project, in which I am studying immune responses in vulvovaginal candidiasis, I am continuing to pursue my research interest in medical mycology.
With the questions of how otherwise harmless fungi can cause infections and develop antifungal resistance lingering in my mind, I first worked in the research team of Prof. Patrick CY Woo at the University of Hong Kong to identify the potential virulence factors and genetic pathways in Talaromyces marneffei. I later joined Prof. Mira Edgerton’s team at University at Buffalo to investigate Candida albicans pathogenicity mechanisms in oral candidiasis. Not only have these precious experiences made me appreciate the beauty of fungi but also sparked my interest in studying the menacing infections they cause.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
I am working with microbiologists, immunologists and clinicians in a consortium aiming to define vulvovaginal candidiasis and identify elements of infection and remedy (DeVEnIR). Through this, I personally experience the beauty of interdisciplinary research. The different perspectives help discussions to thrive. Further, blind spots and difficulties in sample collection and experimental design are recognized and addressed from various perspectives, which highly benefit the development of the project. Synergistic approaches are adopted to collectively unravel the disease. Candida pathogenicity, microbiome and host responses are studied simultaneously to delineate their interactions and help to develop new pathway-specific treatments.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Working on a project aiming at disentangling the complicated pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis with the aim of developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics, I find articles from ACS Infectious Diseases inspiring. It is encouraging to know new approaches that have been proposed and have proven to be effective against fungal infections. Articles related to anti-fungal activities, especially on Candida species, always catch my attention, and I enjoy learning from them. I am thrilled to know that a Special Issue covering diverse topics on some key fungal pathogens and host-pathogen interactions has been released. Reading these articles provides me with sheer inspirations.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I believe that infectious diseases significantly impact the whole human race, and we still need to be equipped with more effective strategies to dodge their attacks. The situation will foreseeably deteriorate due to global warming and overuse of anti-infectives leading to emergence of new pathogens and increasing resistance respectively. Despite the advancement of medical treatments, it remains hard to keep up with the pace of pathogen adaptation. This fight between mankind and infectious diseases will be more challenging in the coming decade, thus research on infectious diseases will be the key to gaining the upper hand. Public understanding and involvement are also crucial in preventing infectious diseases. For this, I envision the responsibility of researchers to provide our community with appropriate knowledge as well as to raise their awareness through varying outreach activities.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
Multi-drug resistance has long been a difficult issue in the field of infectious diseases. The morbidity and mortality caused by the difficulty of treating infections due to resistance is not limited to the immunocompromised patients who are more susceptible to infectious diseases, but also healthy people. With the knowledge and experience gained from my previous projects and my current Ph.D. project, I would like to pursue my career in the field of fungal infections. My aim is, particularly to formulate novel and pathway-specific antifungal treatments to counteract infections caused by multi-drug-resistant strains.
Julian Dommann
I’d boldly claim that my research career began in my childhood. Growing up in rural Switzerland, I spent most of my time outdoors—concocting “gear oils” from mashed flowers and berries for my child-sized tractor and collecting all sorts of critters. While the “gear oil” was more of a “throwing spaghetti at the wall” experiment, my understanding of proper research matured during my studies in Molecular and Infection Biology at the University of Basel. Ironically the fascination with “critters” never left. For my Ph.D. at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), I focus on drugs for parasitic nematodes—helminths—which are essentially critters in their own right. My work specifically explores how the human gut microbiome (even more critters!) might interact with anthelminthic treatments.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Especially in drug development for infectious diseases, I would argue that effective research must leverage multiple disciplines. Fields such as infection biology, microbiology and molecular biology are fundamental to understanding the biology of both pathogen and host, as well as their interaction environment - such as the human gut microbiome. But to move from insight to intervention, we depend heavily on collaboration with pharmacists and chemists to develop viable drug candidates, while epidemiologists, statisticians, and clinical trial teams play a crucial role in surveillance and study execution. Especially in the context of neglected tropical diseases, such as helminth infections, collaboration with local communities, governments, and policymakers are essential to ensure that new therapies reach those who need them most.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I regularly read articles published in ACS Infectious Diseases, particularly studies on soil-transmitted helminths, the human gut microbiome, and its drug-metabolizing capabilities. My Ph.D. relies heavily on Next-Generation Sequencing techniques, so I regularly explore recent advancements in the field, including innovative workflows in both the laboratory and in bioinformatics in related journals. Lately, my interests have shifted particularly toward Nanopore Sequencing, given its portability, affordability, and adaptability - features that make it especially valuable for field-based applications in resource-limited settings. Another hot topic for me is hybrid metagenomic assembly, which combines long Nanopore reads to generate continuous stretches of DNA (contigs) with the high accuracy of Illumina reads to polish these contigs.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I’m hesitant to predict where the field of infectious diseases will be in the next decade, given its dynamic and multifaceted nature. However, I can share what I hope to see. First, greater interdisciplinarity - built on the specialized expertise of researchers across diverse fields. In such a fast-paced field, no one can cover everything alone; collaboration is not just ideal, it's essential and contemporary. Secondly, I envision a more equitable distribution of resources, especially regarding neglected tropical diseases. This requires close and balanced partnerships with affected countries that go beyond collaboration to include capacity building and promotion of local leadership. Equity should be a guiding principle in how global public health research is conducted, funded, and applied.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
One challenge I’m eager to pursue is making bioinformatics more accessible and applicable in the field of infectious diseases - especially in low-resource settings. As sequencing becomes more affordable, I’d expect the bottleneck to shift to data processing, analysis, and interpretation. I’d like to contribute to developing streamlined analysis pipelines that help researchers and health workers turn raw data into insights that allow for informed, real-world decisions on site. In a broader sense this ensures that infectious disease research translates into impact, particularly for neglected tropical diseases where both funding and technical infrastructure are often limited.
Chandradhish Ghosh
I am a chemical biologist focused on developing innovative alternatives to existing antibiotics. I earned my P.hD. at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR, Bangalore, India), where I designed first-in-class membrane-active small molecules to target infections. During my postdoc at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Potsdam, Germany), I developed sugar-stabilized nanoparticles to deliver drugs and biomolecules, creating new anti-infective and immunotherapeutic formulations. Currently, at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (Würzburg, Germany), I integrate medicinal chemistry, microbiology, and RNA biology to design targeted delivery systems for antibacterial antisense oligomers. My ultimate goal is to translate my research into clinically viable treatments for hard-to-treat infections. Along this path, I am also trying to build a start-up focused on developing safer formulations for existing drugs (e.g. Amphotericin B).
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Throughout my career, I have embraced the role of a generalist, passionately connecting chemistry and biology to solve complex, real-world problems. My undergraduate training in chemistry was complemented by minors in microbiology and mathematics, followed by a Master's in organic chemistry and a formative internship in molecular biology. During my Ph.D. at JNCASR, I trained in organic synthesis, microbiology assays, and biophysical techniques to design a new class of antimicrobials. Since then, my research has spanned diverse chemical modalities (carbohydrates, peptides & nucleic acids) and biological areas (glycobiology, immunology, RNA biology) to develop new therapeutics. Collaborations across the globe have enriched and enabled my research with diverse expertise and ideas. This is what I love about being a researcher. I am eager to continue to merge disciplines and exchange ideas with other fields of research.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I have been an avid reader of ACS Infectious Diseases since its inaugural issue in 2015-the same year I published an article in the journal. I still remember how the founding editor, Prof. Courtney Aldrich, personally helped edit the manuscript-an act of generosity and dedication that left a lasting impression on me. It is one of the few journals that I truly consider “home”. I really enjoy reading articles that delve into compounds targeting niche biological pathways in understudied pathogens or creatively refine existing chemical frameworks to improve drugs. I also deeply appreciate the journal’s commitment to showcasing work across a broad range of infectious diseases, including often-overlooked tropical illnesses like leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. This breadth not only enriches scientific understanding but also encourages valuable interdisciplinary exchange.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I believe the future of infectious disease research lies in developing therapies that can precisely reach infection sites and selectively eliminate pathogens while preserving the host and beneficial microbes. With AI revolutionizing every stage of drug discovery, we are approaching an era of highly specific treatments. However, there is the bottleneck of targeted delivery, particularly for localized infections. This is where programmable therapeutics, especially RNA-based tools coupled with responsive delivery systems, hold immense promise. At the same time, advances in omics and single-cell technologies will be essential to achieving true precision. As these innovations converge, I envision a future where infections can be predictably and effectively controlled.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
One problem I am deeply interested in pursuing is unlocking the full therapeutic potential of microbial RNA: an underexplored yet highly promising target in infectious disease research. Realizing this potential will require a versatile chemical toolbox comprising antisense oligomers, small molecules, and hybrid modalities that can engage both structured and unstructured regions of RNA. These tools could fundamentally expand our ability to modulate microbial gene expression with precision. Equally important is the challenge of achieving targeted, cell-specific delivery. Smart delivery systems that respond to microbial cues could open entirely new dimensions of therapeutic control. This is something I am extremely excited to develop in the next stage of my career.
Grace Kaul
I am an Institute Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India. I received my doctorate in Biological Sciences from CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, where my work encompassed investigation of antibacterial resistance mechanisms, rational design and development of novel antibacterials, and implementation of drug-repurposing strategies. I previously earned my Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Biotechnology from Dr. R. M. L. Avadh University, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. My current research focuses on how bacterial pathogens adapt to therapeutic pressure, exploring peptide-based and small-molecule interventions to overcome resistance while improving treatment outcomes. Dedicated to translational impact, I pursue interdisciplinary approaches to address the global challenge of drug-resistant infections.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, often leads to the most innovative and effective research outcomes. My research in infectious diseases has hugely benefited from exchanging ideas across biology, chemistry, and engineering during my doctoral and postdoctoral studies. Integrating my knowledge of pathogen biology with chemistry and materials science has been particularly impactful. Chemical design principles helped me understand and improve my work on novel antibacterial compounds, while conversations with materials scientists inspired novel antibiotic delivery formats as part of my current research. The cross-disciplinary exchange has not only accelerated my progress but also opened up therapeutic strategies against drug-resistant infections that I might never have envisioned working within a single discipline.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I enjoy reading ACS Infectious Diseases because the interdisciplinary studies published in the journal seamlessly align with my research interests. While the journal is highly informative on all areas pertaining to research in infectious diseases, I am most interested in articles covering therapeutics, drug resistance, and anti-infective biomaterials and drug delivery systems.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
Infectious disease research today sits at the intersection of fundamental biology, therapeutic innovation and public health, driven by the rise of resistant pathogens. Over the next decade, the field will pivot on outpacing antimicrobial resistance and turning molecular discoveries into efficacious therapies. Advances in chemical design, materials science, and AI-driven modeling and discoveries will accelerate the development and optimization of novel antimicrobials. Emerging resistance mechanisms will necessitate increasingly sophisticated delivery platforms and synergistic combination regimens as therapeutic strategies. I foresee the discipline becoming progressively interdisciplinary to drive breakthrough treatments and ensure we stay one step ahead of drug-resistant pathogens.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
In the next stage of my research career, I aim to address the challenge of persistent infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, particularly in the context of biofilms. These infections are notoriously difficult to treat due to adaptive resistance, limited drug penetration, and stress tolerance mechanisms. I am especially interested in exploring bacterial and host response pathways to therapeutic stress within biofilms. Understanding these interactions will help guide the development of targeted antibacterial strategies that can effectively disrupt resistance and improve treatment outcomes in difficult-to-treat infections, especially those linked to wound sites and medical devices.
Kuan-Yi Lu
I am a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I investigate Staphylococcus aureus survival during antibiotic treatment within host cells, a key niche for antibiotic-tolerant bacteria. I earned my Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from Duke University, where I studied stress responses and drug target identification in malaria parasites. At UNC, I developed a high-throughput screening platform to identify compounds that resuscitate and sensitize intracellular S. aureus to antibiotic killing and discovered a host-directed antibiotic adjuvant that enhances antibiotic efficacy across diverse bacterial pathogens.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
The specialization of modern science enables deep and focused inquiry into specific research questions, while the exchange of ideas across disciplines fosters divergent thinking and paradigm-shifting creativity. If the core value of science is the pursuit of truth—regardless of the path taken—then interdisciplinary collaboration often brings us closer to the answer. My previous work on malaria parasites and my current research on addressing antibiotic treatment failure have largely benefited from collaborations with experts in pharmacology, chemistry, biostatistics and proteomics. These interactions allowed us to identify drug targets, modify compound structures, design appropriate treatment regimens in animal models, and interpret the data accurately.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I enjoy reading papers in ACS Infectious Diseases, particularly those that apply chemistry and materials science to address pressing challenges in infectious disease research. The interdisciplinary scope of the journal allows me to learn from and apply innovative tools to interrogate biomolecular interactions, measure biological activity, and probe subcellular conditions in living systems. I find topics such as systematic drug profiling (DOI:10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00482 ), target identification using click chemistry or ligand-induced protein stability approaches (DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00418; DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00310), and the development of novel probes for visualizing and distinguishing microbial and cellular structures (DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00125; DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00515) especially compelling.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
Fast-evolving technologies and interdisciplinary integration are undoubtedly accelerating innovation and boosting efficiency in tackling infectious diseases. We now have unprecedented opportunities to combat recalcitrant and emerging pathogens. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are power tools for discovering antimicrobial agents, as beautifully demonstrated by Dr. Jonathan Stokes at McMaster University, who uses AI to predict synthesizable antibiotics de novo, and Dr. Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez at University of Pennsylvania, who explores encrypted antimicrobial peptides from extincted organisms. The expansion of genetic engineering toolkits since the discovery of CRISPR has also significantly increased the speed and efficiency of probing gene functions and identifying drug targets.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
It is exhilarating to witness the rapid advances in research and technology addressing major infectious diseases, particularly during this critical era of superbug emergence and the growing scarcity of effective antibiotics. However, these bugs are highly adept at survival, not only through resistance mutations but also by employing tolerance and persistence. I believe that understanding how bacterial persister cells endure antibiotic stress within the context of host–pathogen interactions is essential for achieving a radical cure. It turns out that the host niche plays a major role in shaping antibiotic tolerance, and I seek to identify the host factors that drive tolerance and determine whether we can increase antibiotic efficacy by manipulating the host environment.
Renuka Ramanathan
I am a fifth-year graduate student at Yale University in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. My research centers on redox regulation of host cell signaling by the gastric cancer-causing pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Using chemical proteomics, polysome profiling, translation assays, and xenograft tumor models, I aim to understand how oxidative modifications on host proteins influence cellular pathways. I am broadly interested in how host–pathogen interactions impact host physiology and shape the host response to infection.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
The exchange of ideas across disciplines allows researchers to think beyond technical silos and reimagine experimental design creatively. For instance, reactive cysteine profiling, which is widely used for drug target discovery, was adapted by our group to reveal oxidative post-translational modifications in gastric cells during Helicobacter pylori infection. My research utilizes techniques across chemical biology, microbiology, cancer biology, and biochemistry to interrogate how host cell signaling is altered during infection. This interdisciplinary approach has allowed me to connect molecular changes to physiological outcomes.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I read ACS Infectious Diseases to keep up with advances in antimicrobial development, novel strategies to capture host responses to infection, and immune modulation strategies. I particularly enjoy special issues that highlight recent developments in areas including the microbiome’s role in disease, stress responses during infection, and drug delivery platforms.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I think the next decade in infectious disease research is going to be shaped by both urgency and innovation. With challenges like antimicrobial resistance and emerging pandemics, there is a growing need to understand the molecular pathways at play that contribute to infection, so we can better inform therapeutic development. I am especially excited about combining tools from genomics, chemical biology, and systems immunology to study host–pathogen interactions in real time. Chemical biology techniques like activity-based protein profiling and tools including in vivo probes can reveal dynamic changes in host signaling and physiology during infection. This can help uncover new opportunities for more targeted and adaptable host-directed therapies that offer alternate paths to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
I’m interested in continuing to leverage chemical biology tools to uncover active enzymes and signaling pathways involved in disease, with a growing focus on cancer. I’m particularly interested in how disease- or tissue-specific enzyme activity and signaling contribute to immune evasion or resistance to therapy. I’m also excited about exploring how the microbiome shapes the tumor microenvironment, particularly through changes in metabolite levels, receptor activation, and immune signaling. By uncovering functional differences in these contexts, I hope to identify new pathways that can be targeted or modulated to improve cancer outcomes and guide the development of more effective therapies.
Deepti Sharan
I am a Microbiologist, currently a postdoctoral DFI fellow at the University of Chicago and my research combines microbial physiology, chemical biology, and omics technologies. I investigate how microbes adapt to environmental stressors and influence host health. I studied phenotypic heterogeneity and antibiotic resistance in Mycobacteria during my Ph.D. and later worked on nanomaterial-induced resistance in bacteria, exploring how environmental exposures shape microbial adaptation. I believe that infectious diseases are not just battles between hosts and pathogens, they are also shaped by microbial communities, environmental stressors, and complex metabolic networks. My long-term goal is to develop predictive, microbiome-based strategies that anticipate microbial adaptation and guide the future of infectious disease research.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinarity has been central to my research in infectious diseases. By integrating microbiology, chemical biology, and materials science, I was able to explore how phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial populations contributes to the evolution of antibiotic resistance. My work revealed that not only antibiotics but also engineered nanomaterials can act as selective pressures, driving resistance through oxidative stress pathways. This convergence of disciplines allowed me to develop new experimental frameworks and ask broader mechanistic questions. Such cross-disciplinary perspectives have enriched my approach to studying bacterial adaptation, de novo mutations and highlighted the need for systems-level strategies in combating antimicrobial resistance.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I regularly follow research published in ACS Infectious Diseases. I particularly enjoy reading studies on the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, host–pathogen interactions, and microbial stress responses. Articles exploring redox biology, resistance evolution under environmental stressors, and the use of chemical tools to probe bacterial physiology are especially relevant to my work. More recently, I’ve also become interested in studies focusing on the gut microbiome, particularly those investigating microbial metabolism and host–microbe crosstalk in the context of infection and immunity. The journal’s emphasis on mechanistic and translational microbiology makes it a valuable resource for my research in both infectious disease and microbiome biology.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
In the coming decade, the field of infectious diseases will benefit from deeper mechanistic insights into antimicrobial resistance, host–microbe interactions, and community-level behavior. The microbiome will increasingly be recognized as one of the modulators of infection outcomes, influencing colonization resistance, immune responses, and drug metabolism. Importantly, AI and machine learning will be central to predict drug–microbe interactions, identify novel metabolic vulnerabilities, accelerate the discovery of next-generation therapeutics, decode high-dimensional microbiome and pathogen datasets, identify predictive biomarkers, and optimize interventions. These tools will allow us to design targeted, context-specific therapies and move toward a more personalized and sustainable management of infectious diseases.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
In the next stage of my research career, I aim to address how microbial stress responses and metabolic interactions influence infection outcomes and therapeutic failure. A key challenge is to uncover how microbial communities reorganize under environmental and host-imposed stress, including antibiotic exposure and nutrient fluctuations. I’m particularly interested in how less-explored metabolic pathways contribute to microbial survival, signaling, and interspecies interactions. By combining high-throughput experimental approaches with computational modeling, I hope to identify novel microbial functions that can serve as targets for diagnostics, intervention, or microbiome-based therapies.
Megan Tu
I am a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, working under the supervision of Dr. Eric Brown. My research takes a systems approach to investigate the physiological trade-offs associated with antibiotic resistance. By understanding how resistance reshapes bacterial physiology, I aim to uncover novel vulnerabilities that can be exploited to treat resistant pathogens.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinary collaboration has strongly influenced my research in infectious diseases. Working with colleagues from various fields has deepened my understanding of key concepts such as host-pathogen interactions, drug development, immune responses, and the evolution of resistance. Additionally, discussing research with colleagues from different backgrounds often sharpens ideas and encourages me to approach problems from new angles. As a result, I have become more effective at formulating questions, designing experiments, and interpreting data from a broader context.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I regularly read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases, with a particular focus on studies related to drug discovery. I am especially interested in work that employs unconventional screening methods to identify novel compounds or targets. Although my primary focus tends to be on bacteria-centric studies, I also value research in other areas of infectious diseases. Regardless of the subject, I appreciate the opportunity to stay informed and learn from the diverse experimental strategies used across the field.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
Although antibiotic resistance poses an urgent global health challenge, I remain optimistic about the future of infectious disease research. The field is dynamic and focused on finding solutions, from discovering new chemical compounds to developing inventive methods to extend the effectiveness of current antibiotics. While challenges exist beyond the laboratory, including regulatory and economic obstacles, the individuals I’ve connected with in this community exhibit a profound and inspiring dedication to tackling the crisis.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
While I will always be interested in contributing to antimicrobial drug discovery efforts, I have recently developed a growing interest in antimicrobial stewardship. Stewardship involves efforts to optimize existing antibiotics to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary use, and limit the emergence of resistance. With few new antibiotics reaching clinical approval and rising resistance rates, stewardship is essential for preserving the effectiveness of current therapies. I hope to better understand how research can shape prescribing practices to support public health goals.
Claudia Vilhena
I come from Portugal, where I concluded my masters in Pharmaceutical Science. I fell in love with microbiology which led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Munich, Germany. My work focused on Escherichia coli and signalling transduction mechanisms. My post doc time was at the Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology in Jena where I expanded my interests to include immunology and chemistry. I accessed the role of pneumococcal extracellular vesicles (EVs) on host infection. Currently, I am a junior group leader at the Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen. My research focuses on the biogenesis, cellular function and inter-kingdom communication of bacterial EVs.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Working at the interface of microbiology, immunology, and host-pathogen biology has opened new ways for me to ask questions about bacterial behavior. I collaborated with chemists, physicists, clinicians and even artists, and I always find it amazing how each subject has a different view on the exact same situation. Especially when addressing infectious diseases, I find it crucial to integrate different perspectives as the systems and mechanisms involved are not only concerning one side of equation (pathogen/host). In meetings/conferences or even in online platforms, I try to engage with other colleagues and exchange scientific ideas but also struggles and problems.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
Yes, I regularly read ACS Infectious Diseases. I really enjoy the broad range of organisms and areas that the journal covers. It looks at infection from both perspectives, the pathogen’s and the host’s (and even with a technological kick). I like to read stories that, even though they are not about the same model organism that I use, still look from the same or similar angle, for instance, at cellular communication and immune evasion. Of course, I appreciate the content on extracellular vesicles a lot, especially the studies about their versatile application in therapy and diagnostics.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
Oh, that’s a good one...if something became clear in the last years, particularly after the pandemic, is that the field of infection biology has a lot of room to grow and requires interdisciplinary approaches (including interactions with politicians and law makers). Our understanding of the pathogen’s physiology requires attention to develop effective timely interventions. The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demands innovative strategies, and technologies like artificial intelligence are already transforming how we detect, predict, and counter these threats. I believe (or better…hope) the next decade will bring us closer to better solutions regarding AMR.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
I already mentioned a huge problem that we are (have been and most likely will still be) living through, the AMR pandemic. If I could, somehow, make even the smallest contribution to help the field, that would be fantastic. I would like to continue dissecting the biogenesis of Gram-positive bacterial EVs and gathering what we learn about cellular biology from them. The role of EVs on shaping immune responses during lung infections, particularly pneumonia, and their exploitation as diagnostic markers is a long-term goal. In a broader spectrum, I would love to bring our science and efforts closer to the general audience and engage more with clinicians, to better understand how academic research fits in real-world problems.
Phillip Yesley
I completed my Master’s in Chemistry at the University of Groningen in 2022 and subsequently joined the Velema lab at Radboud University for my doctorate. Prior to beginning my doctorate, my scant research experience was heavily focused on studying the interactions between small molecules and RNA. I was introduced to this field by Dr. Incarnato in Groningen, where we studied these interactions using next-generation sequencing. Later, I interned at the Disney Lab at the Herbert Wertheim institute (formerly known as Scripps Florida), where I was introduced to RNA-targeted drug discovery. My work at the Velema lab builds on these experiences, by trying to find ways to discover RNA-targeted antibiotics.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Since the interactions between RNA and small molecules are still being understood, we are constantly challenged by finding new ways to describe them.To do this, I have been privileged to learn about a large diversity of methods, that span not only traditional chemical biology but also NMR and, in my particular case, bioinformatics. Once we are convinced by an interaction, we inevitably face an optimization task, which leads to exciting discussions with my colleagues who are more specialized in synthetic and medicinal chemistry aspects.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I do, and so does the rest of my group who take interest in other parts of the broader field of antibiotics. For my part, I’ve always been particularly excited to read about applications of RNA-targeted drug discovery, which make appearances every few issues. Generally, the journal often gives a good benchmark for what a good antibiotic should look like. This is a useful reminder, as I’m often too excited by the types of interactions I study, as opposed to the greater problem I hope they will tackle.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
I’ve only made a few steps along what I hope, to be an exciting scientific career. I’m wary of making any sort of prediction or grand statement. With the unsettling specter of antibiotic resistance on the rise, I’m hopeful that one of our lab’s ideas, whether its RNA-targeted small molecules, Anti-sense oligonucleotides or peptides could eventually have a clinical impact.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
With the growing applications of automation and artificial intelligence on the horizon, which are already impacting research at our university, I often wonder how we can best harness these tools for antibiotic discovery. One exciting application would be to identify the function of the myriad of non-coding RNAs, that are still under-characterized in many pathogens. Seeing how these RNAs change structure, in response to environmental stresses, by high throughput probing and a lot of clever data crunching, might shed light on an exciting novel target.
Maggie Zheng
I am a researcher in the Department of Chemistry at New York University, where I work in the lab of Dr. Tania Lupoli. My research centers on engineering bacterial nucleotidyltransferases to produce bacterial-specific monosaccharides that play critical roles in host-pathogen interactions. By reconstructing and manipulating enzymes that participate in bacterial specific glycosylation pathways, both in vitro and in vivo, I aim to uncover new molecular targets to disable bacterial pathogenicity. I am particularly interested in applying an interdisciplinary approach, bridging chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology to investigate host-pathogen interactions at a molecular level. My work has been featured in several leading journals, and I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the Margaret Strauss Fellowship.
Could you comment on the role of interdisciplinarity and exchange of ideas across subjects, and how it has benefited your research in infectious diseases?
Interdisciplinarity has been a cornerstone of my research. My work integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic chemistry, and microbiology, allowing me to explore infectious diseases from multiple, complementary perspectives. The interdisciplinary approach allows me to view projects from various angles, enhancing the depth and scope of the work. Our lab also collaborates with experts in various fields (i.e. structural biology and microbiology), which enables a deeper understanding of enzyme mechanisms and metabolic pathways. These cross-disciplinary exchanges foster innovation, leveraging chemical biology tools to prove bacterial glycosylation system that drives discoveries in novel directions. This collaborative environment has been essential in strengthening the scientific rigor and creativity of my research.
Do you read research published in ACS Infectious Diseases? What are some of the areas/topics which you enjoy reading about?
I regularly read ACS Infectious Diseases and am particularly drawn to articles that explore host-pathogen interactions and the development of new antibiotics. Research on bacterial glycobiology, metabolic oligosaccharide engineering, and chemical probe development to study infectious agents is highly relevant to my own work. The journal’s commitment to solving critical biological challenges through a unique blend of chemistry-driven approaches aligns well with my interdisciplinary interests. Staying current with these publications helps me stay informed about emerging methodologies and inspires new experimental directions for my research.
As an early career researcher, how do you look at the field of infectious diseases, and the next decade?
The field of infectious diseases is on the brink of exciting advances, but it is also facing significant challenges. While there has been limited progress in the development of new antibiotics, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continues to rise. This issue is primarily driven by a combination of scientific challenges, funding disincentives, and regulatory barriers. However, I am optimistic about the future. With the growing involvement of young scientists in understanding host-pathogen interactions and the evolution of antibiotic resistance, I believe we will witness a resurgence in the development of novel treatments. This will fuel innovation and expansion in the field. As a young researcher, I am eager to contribute to this evolving landscape, particularly through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge basic science and translational research to address global health challenges.
Is there any specific problem in the field of infectious diseases that you would like to pursue in your next stage of career research?
In the next stage of my career, I am excited to explore the use of metabolic oligosaccharide labeling to capture host-pathogen interactions. This approach offers a powerful tool for unraveling previously unknown mechanisms of action across different disease states. By labelling bacterial sugars, specifically those involved in host-pathogen interactions, we can gain deeper insights into how pathogens manipulate host processes at the molecular level. I believe this work could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, offering a unique perspective on infectious diseases and potentially revealing new strategies for treatment. Additionally, we could develop tools that mimic bacterial pathogens to selectively trigger immune responses in other diseased patients, such as those with cancer.
