Resume
Researcher
ORCID: 0000-0003-3847-0422
Victor
Nizet
Distinguished Professor/Vice Chair for Basic Resea at UC San Diego
Department of Pediatrics + Skaggs School of Pharmacy
Citations
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Contact Info
Resume
About

The interest of my laboratory lies in understanding fundamental mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and the innate immune system, with a special focus on human streptococcal and staphylococcal infections and emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Using a wide variety of molecular genetic approaches, the laboratory discovers and characterizes bacterial virulence determinants involved in cytotoxicity, adherence, invasion, inflammation, molecular mimicry and resistance to immunologic clearance. In companion studies, we investigate the contribution of host factors such as antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, leukocyte surface receptors, signal transduction pathways, and transcription factors in defense against invasive bacterial infection. Ultimately, we believe the basic discovoeries gained through this platform will inform novel treatment strategies for infectious diseases, including targeted neutralization of microbial virulence phenotypes, pharmacologic augmentation of host immune function, novel monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, and repurposing of FDA-approved drugs to beneficial impact at the host-pathogen interface. My other longstanding academic focus areas include cross-disciplinary research and educational program development, enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training in biological, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, junior faculty development, encouragement of academic-industry collaborations, and public engagement in the sciences.

Education
Univ. of Washington/Seattle Children's Hospital
1993 - 1996
Postgraduate , Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Harvard University/Boston Children's Hospital
1989 - 1993
Postgraduate , Pediatric Residency and Chief Residency
Stanford University School of Medicine
1984 - 1989
Doctor of Medicine , Medicine
Reed College
1980 - 1984
Bachelor's Degree , Biology
Realted Researchers