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Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology

The Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology faculty are actively engaged in innovative research supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, and other federal and non-federal sponsors. From 2020-2022, division faculty published over 50 manuscripts and abstracts in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, including 15 manuscripts involving trainees.

The division performs a range of activities from basic and translational science to large, multi-site interventional clinical trials. Areas of division expertise include viral structure and cryoEM reconstruction techniques, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for vector borne diseases, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly of retrovirus particles, comprehending the role of substance use disorder in infectious diseases, optimizing the care of individuals living with HIV and hepatitis C, providing research opportunities for patients who have undergone solid organ or bone marrow transplant, developing and directing a comprehensive Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, assessing antimicrobial dosing strategies, leading pivotal COVID-19 therapeutics trials, and understanding post-COVID-19 sequalae.

Division faculty are integral to the research mission at Penn State College of Medicine and serve in research leadership roles within the College of Medicine and as national experts on study sections and research planning groups.

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Research Leadership

Cynthia J. Whitener, MD, is Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology.
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Read more about Dr. Whitener
Leslie J. Parent, MD, is Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the College of Medicine.
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Read more about Dr. Parent

Trainee Research

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The Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology recognizes the importance of ensuring that doctors and other health care workers in training acquire sufficient experience, knowledge and understanding of medical research. The division is committed to tailoring research opportunities to trainees’ interests and providing research opportunities ranging from basic science to large-scale work on clinical trials.

Learn more about the Infectious Disease Fellowship

Contact Us

To contact the Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, email DivisionofInfectiousDiseases@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or call 717-531-8881.

Follow the division on Twitter at PennStateID.