Infectious Diseases and International Medicine Faculty

Bio

Administrator Info

Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410

Research Summary

• HIV-associated Cryptococcal Meningitis
• Reducing mortality in HIV-associated
• Cryptococcal Meningitis Understand the pathophysiology of neurological impairment cryptococcal meningitis

Research Projects
Targeting Neuropathogenesis of Altered Mental Status to Improve Survival in Cryptococcal Meningitis (Pending - K23)

Clinical Summary

• Infectious Disease
• HIV Medicine
• Opportunistic Infections

Specialties
Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Genetics

Bio

Administrator Info

Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo, Memorial Building, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
After completing medical school in Madras Medical College in Chennai, India, Dr. Bhaskaran pursued Internal Medicine residency, Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology fellowships in the United States. During her training she received the Don W. Powell, M.D Award for excellence in Internal Medicine Residency and became the Chief Infectious Disease fellow. She later moved to Canada for Transplant Infectious Diseases training at the University of Toronto where she received a research grant award from Physicians Services Incorporated, Canada. Dr. Bhaskaran's clinical and research interest is in the field of infections in transplant patients and fungal infections. Dr. Bhaskaran enjoys teaching and is committed to educating future generations of physicians.

Teaching Summary

Concepts in Infectious Diseases

Clinical Summary

Infections in the immunocompromised; Fungal Infections; Tropical Infections, Mycobacterial Infections, Central Nervous System Infections; Global health

Bio

Administrator Info

Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 2101 6th Street SE, MC 2641 Room 2-118, WMBB Building, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Bold is a physician-scientist, trained in the clinical subspecialty practice of infectious diseases, and laboratory based investigations of microbiology and immunology. His clinical interests regard the care of immune-compromised patients being treated for cancer or undergoing transplantation. His lab in the Center for Immunology is focused on advancing understanding of how the adaptive immune system combats infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial pathogen responsible for human TB.

Research Summary

Dr. Bold is a physician-scientist, trained in the clinical practice of infectious diseases and laboratory based investigations of microbiology and immunology. His clinical interests regard the care of immune-compromised patients being treated for cancer or undergoing transplantation. His lab in the Center for Immunology is focused on advancing understanding of how the immune system combats infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial pathogen responsible for human TB, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Clinical Summary

Transplant Infectious Diseases

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: IDIM Admin
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: idimdivision@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 689 SE 23rd Avenue, MC2821 Room 4-103,  Microbiology Research Facility, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Boulware is an infectious disease physician-scientist with formal training in clinical trials, public health, and tropical medicine. Dr. Boulware combines his clinical research with nested basic science investigations into disease pathogenesis to conduct translational research. His primary research interests are in meningitis in resource-limited areas including diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and quality improvement initiatives incorporating cost-effectiveness analyses in order to translate knowledge into improved care. Dr. Boulware's current research is focused on improving the clinical outcomes of HIV-infected persons with cryptococcal meningitis, the second most common AIDS-defining opportunistic infection in Sub-Saharan Africa and the most common cause of adult meningitis. Additionally, Dr. Boulware has been motivated to improve the diagnostics for TB meningitis, and now that TB meningitis can be promptly diagnosed, to also improve the treatment of tuberculous meningitis. Dr. Boulware leads a multidisciplinary, international research team with active research collaborations with partners in Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Brazil, Botswana, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Research Summary

Reducing HIV-related mortality in people living with AIDS Improving Diagnostics for Meningitis Improving treatments for Cryptococcal meningitis and TB meningitis Preventing avoidable deaths due to subclinical cryptococcosis Clinical Trials for novel meningitis therapeutics and strategies Quality improvement initiatives to improve survival in resource-limited settings Antimicrobial resistance in low and middle income countries Research Projects: Improving Diagnostics and Neurocognitive Outcomes in HIV/AIDS-related Meningitis (R01 NS086312) Phased Implementation of a Public Health Programme: Cryptococcal Screening and Treatment in South Africa. ( R01AI118511) Operational Research for Cryptococcal Antigen Screening (ORCAS) of HIV Patients (U01AI125003) Infectious Disease Training in Clinical Investigation (T32AI055433) Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial TB Meningitis: Evaluating CSF Immunology to Discover Hidden Disease and Potential Immunomodulatory Therapies Redefining Tuberculosis Meningitis with Metagenomics and Host Transcriptomics NIH ACTIV-6 COVID Platform Trial

Clinical Summary

Central nervous system infections; AIDS-related opportunistic infections; Tropical medicine; Travel medicine; Cost Effectiveness

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo, Memorial Building, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Winston Cavert, M.D. did his residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and trained in Infectious Diseases and Virology at the University of Washington, Seattle. His research interests include the transcriptional pathogenesis and population biology of HIV and its target cells in tissues (lymphoid tissue, CNS, gut), as well as clinical virology including viral fitness and sequencing. He cares for persons living with HIV and is interested in HIV clinical trials both here and in less-resourced countries. He directs the Minnesota ACTUs research clinic and virology laboratory, and helps direct the CFAR laboratory in the Dept. of Microbiology.

Clinical Summary

Adenoiditis; AIDs; Encephalitis; Flu; Hepatitis A and B; HIV; Lyme Disease; Pneumonia; SARS; Sinusitis

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo, Memorial Building, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Chan-Colenbrander received her medical degree from Western University (University of Western Ontario), Canada. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at University of Minnesota and Infectious Disease fellowship at Vanderbilt University. Prior to her medical training, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (hon), majoring in Microbiology at National University of Malaysia and later received her Master of Medical Sciences degree at University of Malaya. Her research was on the application of PCR in the rapid diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Previous research experiences include antibiotic resistance, prevention of hospital infections and interactions among the anti-retroviral drugs mediated by cellular drug transporters. Since her ID fellowship, she has been working as an Internal medicine and Infectious diseases physician in various healthcare settings. This experience has provided her with a good insight on how to provide good care, manage and prevent infections and diseases. My focus is on good patient care, learning and sharing of knowledge.

Research Summary

Current Research
Study the Impact of Early NSAID or Aspirin use and Vitamin D level in Patients Diagnosed with Influenza (AIRP- Scholar grant)

Previous Research
Interactions Among Drugs Mediated by Cellular Drug Transporters - Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology HIV Fellows Research Program (2004)
The Application Of Polymerase Chain Reaction In The Rapid Diagnosis Of Dengue Infection (1993)
Reduction Of Skin Flora By An Antiseptic Skin Lotion (1999)
Isolation And Genetic Analysis Of Strains Of Enteric Bacteria From Reared Animals That Are Resistant To Antibiotics (1990)

Clinical Summary

General Infectious Diseases; HIV; Tropical/Travel Medicine

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo, Memorial Building, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Chandorkar is an Assistant Professor in the division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He graduated medical school from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, Pune, India. He completed his residency and Chief residency in Internal Medicine at Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia followed by an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He completed additional training in Transplant Infectious Diseases at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. His research interests lie in the field of viral infections in immunocompromised hosts, both solid organ and bone marrow transplants, multi-drug resistant organisms and antimicrobial stewardship. He is passionate about training and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi.

Teaching Summary

Principles and Concepts in General Infectious Diseases; Opportunistic Infections; Resident/Fellow education

Clinical Summary

Solid Organ Transplants; Bone Marrow Transplants; Hematological Malignancies and infectious diseases in them; Antimicrobial stewardship

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: IDIM Admin
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: idimdivision@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410

Summary
Dr. Ana Paim is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota. She is a graduate of Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública in Brazil and she completed three years of Infectious Diseases training at Hospital Espanhol in Brazil. She later worked for several years in general infectious diseases, HIV and tropical diseases in the Brazilian public and private systems. She completed internal medicine training at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Massachusetts and infectious diseases training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her research interest lies in basic science and translational research in HIV. She enjoys general inpatient and outpatient care, and enjoys connecting with patients and managing their cases from both a specialist and generalist vantage point. She speaks Portuguese and English fluently.

Teaching Summary

General Infectious Diseases pathologies and treatment; HIV pathophysiology and management; Resident and fellow education

Clinical Summary

HIV pathophysiology and management; medical education in the field of HIV and General Infectious Diseases

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: IDIM Admin
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: idimdivision@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410

Summary
Dr. Debes graduated from medical school at Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina. Following his graduation he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship and Masters in Science-Molecular Biology at the Mayo Clinic. He later pursued residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology both at the University of Minnesota. During his fellowship Dr. Debes was awarded an NIH NRSA-F32 grant to study regulation of gene expression by the hepatitis C virus. Dr. Debes leads international research networks in three continents conducting research on viral hepatitis and liver cancer with on-site activities in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Netherlands, Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina. Through these networks he has defined the epidemiology of liver cancer in South America and Africa and has exposed biomarkers for early detection of liver cancer. His research activities expand from public health implementation and education on viral hepatitis to molecular biology aspects to define the mechanisms of viral-related liver cancer. Dr. Debes serves in editorial boards of multiple research journals and has served as reviewer in a variety of NIH study sections.

Research Summary

Mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma; Single cell sequencing and immune-detection for prediction of liver cancer; Viral hepatitis in HIV; Education, prevention and treatment of hepatitis B and liver cancer in resource-limited settings

Research Funding
Grants American College of Gastroenterology AFMDP, Robert Wood Johnson Scholar National Institutes of Health Horizon 2020, EU University of Minnesota

Teaching Summary

Teaching Areas
Hepatology; Global Health; Translational research

Clinical Summary

Hepatology; Viral Hepatitis; HCC; Liver disease and HIV

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo
Memorial Building
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Enriquez is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He graduated with a medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia where he then completed an Internal Medicine residency training program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He continued his medical training in Chicago where he graduated from an Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Chicago Medicine followed by an advanced ID fellowship in Global Health, Travel, & Tropical Medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine. In addition, he has attended the Gorgas Diploma Course in Tropical Medicine in Lima, Peru through the Alexander von Humboldt Tropical Medicine Institute. His interests include global health, tropical medicine, travel medicine, tuberculosis management, HIV care, zoonotic infections, and general ID. He is fluent in English and is proficient in Spanish.

Research Summary

• Tropical medicine
• Medical education
• Tuberculosis
• Global health
• HIV care
• Zoonotic infections

Teaching Summary

• Adult Infectious Diseases

Clinical Summary

• Travel and Tropical Medicine
• HIV management
• Tuberculosis management
• Endemic mycoses
• Zoonotic infections
• General Infectious Diseases

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo
Memorial Building
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr Edwin Erayil grew up in India and completed medical school at St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore. She pursued a Master Thesis in Public Health at Umea University, Sweden, before moving to the United States for her residency training In Internal Medicine at Loyola Medicine MacNeal Hospital. She then completed her fellowship in Infectious Diseases at University of Minnesota Medical School, where she served as the Chief Fellow in her final year of training. Her primary research focus is on Candidemia and resistant Candida infections, including molecular epidemiology of these infections. Dr. Edwin Erayil takes care of patients with general infectious diseases and HIV in her clinical practice, and is particularly interested in the care of vulnerable populations. Her academic interests also include social determinants of health and Narrative Medicine.

Research Summary

Molecular Epidemiology of Candidemia and resistant Candida Infections Social Determinants of Health Narrative Medicine Antimicrobial Stewardship

Clinical Summary

Infections in Vulnerable Populations, Orthopedic Infections; Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections; Tickborne Illnesses; HIV

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Becca Johnson
Phone: 612-624-9996
Email: joh07913@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-4410
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 250, Room D416 Mayo
Memorial Building
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Fontana is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and her Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. She has a long-standing interest in Transplant Infectious Diseases and completed a third year at OHSU to focus her clinical training and research in this specialized area. Her research has focused on bacterial and fungal infections affecting transplant recipients and immunocompromised hosts including multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) and ways to prevent transmission of these organisms to patients from the environment. In addition, Dr. Fontana also has an interest in medical education and mentoring all levels of trainees.

Research Summary

• Bacterial and Fungal infections in transplant recipients and the immunocompromised host
• Infection Prevention and Control

Teaching Summary

• Concepts of General and Transplant Infectious Diseases

Clinical Summary

• Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
• Infections in patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
• Viral Infections