A non-UA/non-Banner professional either authorized to be a principal investigator on a sponsored project at their institution or a practicing healthcare professional. Healthcare professional is broadly defined with respect to patient care, public health, or biomedical research.
Collaborative Members
VFCE Collaborative
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Biologist
As a bench researcher trained in genetics and genetic diagnostics, I have been interested in the different disease presentations of Valley fever. Our recent work identified common population variants in fungal recognition and response that are associated with escape of the organism from the lung to other sites in the body. In collaboration with the VFCE, I continue to explore the genetics underlying newly diagnosed patients. Additionally, my work now includes studying the interaction between the fungus and the lung epithelium - where initial immune response occurs. |
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Physician
I do clinical follow up with patients that have Valley fever. |
 Research Assistant Professor
We know that sometimes the diagnosis of people potentially infected with the Valley fever fungus is difficult to confirm. Measuring patient antibodies is one prime method to determine if someone is infected. Unfortunately, the current serological assays are not as sensitive or specific to determine the infection status. We are working to identify protein targets of the immune system in people and animals infected with the Valley fever fungus. Identifying these new proteins will improve the diagnostic assays to allow for quicker potential classification of initial diagnosis of disease. In addition, these assays could also improve the tracking of patients to help determine disease progression. |
 Associate Professor of Pathology
Assistant Dean of Pre-Clinical Education Our medical school is located in southern New Mexico, where the epidemiology and ecology of Valley fever is not well understood, despite the disease being regularly diagnosed in our region. The goals of our research are 1) to document the environmental distribution of Coccidioides posadassii through targeted soil sampling and genomic detection by qPCR, and 2) to develop a better understanding of the exposure rate among the population through serological testing. Ultimately, we aim increase our understanding of Valley Fever as a health concern in New Mexico and to expand community awareness and education on the disease. |