Infectious diseases doctor looking through microscope

Infectious Diseases Research

The Division of Infectious Diseases encompasses a broad and highly productive research portfolio spanning basic science, translational investigation, and clinical epidemiology. 

Faculty work across the full spectrum of infectious disease — from molecular mechanisms of pathogen evolution and host-microbiome interactions to real-world clinical trials, vaccine effectiveness studies, and antimicrobial stewardship programs. A strong cross-cutting theme is the use of genomic and computational tools to understand how pathogens spread through healthcare systems and communities.

The division also maintains deep expertise in specific pathogen areas — including respiratory viruses, drug-resistant bacteria, fungal infections, and gastrointestinal pathogens — while engaging in public health surveillance, health equity research, and patient-oriented education. Collaborations with state health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and multi-institutional networks reflects the division's commitment to translating laboratory findings into actionable infection prevention and treatment strategies.

Areas of Specialized Research
Antimicrobial Stewardship & Antibiotic Optimization

The Division conducts research aimed at optimizing antibiotic prescribing, including clinical trials and observational studies on antibiotic duration for community-acquired pneumonia, outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy programs for bone and joint infections, and the collaboration between stewardship and infection prevention programs to combat antimicrobial resistance.

 Gut Microbiome, Clostridioides difficile, & Enteric Pathogens

Several faculty study C. difficile infection (CDI) from multiple angles: its genomic epidemiology, the role of the gut microbiome in susceptibility and outcomes, the impact of diet (e.g., high-fat diet) on CDI severity, and the association between recurrent CDI and colorectal cancer. Microbiome therapeutics and fecal microbiota-based interventions are active areas of investigation.

 Healthcare-Associated Infections and Genomic Epidemiology

A major research program uses whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to track transmission of carbapenem-resistant organisms (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae, KPC-producing bacteria), MRSA, and other multidrug-resistant pathogens within and between healthcare facilities, including long-term care settings. This work integrates genomic and epidemiologic data to identify sources of transmission and inform real-time infection control interventions.

 HIV Pathogenesis, Latency, & Cure Strategies

Faculty investigate the molecular mechanisms that allow HIV to persist despite effective antiretroviral therapy, with a focus on viral latency. 

 ID in Complex & Vulnerable Populations

Research addresses ID management in special contexts including conflict settings, older adults and emergency preparedness, immunocompromised patients (transplant recipients, those with HIV), and patients with bone and joint infections requiring prolonged outpatient antibiotic therapy.

 ID in Solid Organ & Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Division faculty conduct research on infections that disproportionately affect transplant populations, including donor-derived infections. Recent studies involve optimal diagnostic, prevention, and treatment approaches for respiratory viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and fungal infections.

 Invasive Fungal Infections

Faculty have expertise in histoplasmosis diagnostics and treatment monitoring, and in clinical trial design and outcome measures for invasive fungal diseases including candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, and mucormycosis — including consensus endpoint development for multicenter trials.

 Respiratory Virus Evolution, Transmission, & Vaccine Effectiveness

Investigators in the Division study the evolution and transmission of influenza virus and other respiratory viruses and prevention of viral infections in the healthcare setting. Related work evaluates real-world effectiveness of RSV and influenza vaccines, particularly in high-risk populations.

Key Investigators

The division serves as a hub for infectious disease research in the Department of Internal Medicine, the Medical School, and across the University’s 19 schools and colleges. The investigators below highlight the breadth and depth of research in infectious diseases at the University of Michigan.

Division of Infectious Diseases University of Michigan

Department of Internal Medicine

  • Robert Dickson, MD (Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine)
    Microbiome, sepsis, ARDS
  • Gary Huffnagle, PhD (Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine)
    Microbiome, mucosal immunology, food allergy
  • John Kao, MD (Gastroenterology & Hepatalogy)
    Enteric infections, microbiome, inflammatory bowel disease
  • Lona Mody, MD, MSc (Geriatric & Palliative Medicine)
    Antimicrobial resistance, pathogen transmission, infection prevention in nursing homes
  • David O'Dwer, MD BCH BAO, PhD (Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine)
    Microbiome, pulmonary fibrosis
  • Michal Olszewski, DVM, PhD (Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine)
    Invasive lung infections, cryptococcus
  • Andrew Tai, MD, PhD (Gastroenterology & Hepatology)
    Molecular virology, RNA viruses, virus replication

Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Department of Pathology

Department of Pediatrics

  • Suzy Dawid, MD, PhD (Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases)
    Stretococci, pneumococcal pathogenesis, antimicrobial peptides
  • Jason Weinberg, MD (Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases)
    Adenovirus pathogenesis

School of Public Health (Epidemiology)

College of Engineering

  • Herek Clack, PhD (CEE)
    Health impacts of aerosols, thermal plasma, pathogen inactivation
  • Paul Jensen, PhD (BME)
    High throughput genomics, deep reinforcement learning, microbiology
  • Nancy Love, PhD (CEE)
    Waterborne pathogens, environmental health, sanitary engineering, global health
  • Peter Tessier, PhD (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering)
    Antibody engineering
  • Krista Wiggington, PhD (CEE)
    Virus inactivation, virus detection, wastewater epidemiology

College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts

College of Pharmacy

  • Amit Pai, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacy)
    Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, anti-infectives
  • Jason Pogue, PharmD (Clinical Pharmacy)
    Antimicrobial resistance, gram negatives, antimicrobial stewardship
  • David Sherman, PhD (Medicinal Chemistry)
    Natural products, anti-infectives