Dr. Jennifer Rickard

Dr. Jennifer Rickard Awarded R21 Grant Toward Preventing Surgical Site Infections

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Paxton Alto, Communications Specialist
1 minute
This research aims to prevent Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) through interventions targeting the specific source of pathogens and optimizing the host microbial environment.

JAMA Network states SSIs account for $3.5 billion to $10 billion in US healthcare costs annually. Associate Professor in the Division of Critical Care/Acute Care Surgery, Dr. Jennifer Rickard, is working to decrease this notable burden on the healthcare system through her study, funded by her recently awarded R21 grant, "Surgical site infections and the microbiome: Understanding the pathogenesis of surgical site infections." 

The origins of causative bacterial pathogens are currently unknown. Still, Dr. Rickard and her team's central hypothesis is that the diversity of the skin and incisional microbiota is predictive of SSI pathogenesis. 

By identifying the site where pathogens originate and features of the microbiome associated with SSIs, Dr. Rickard hopes to develop targeted interventions to prevent various SSIs from occurring. 

Congratulations, Dr. Rickard!