Influenza Research Center Bios
Baylor College of Medicine has a number of influenza experts. To arrange an interview, call the Office of Public Affairs, 713-798-4710.
Dr. W. Paul Glezen is professor of molecular virology and microbiology and of pediatrics. He is also lead epidemiologist at BCM's Influenza Research Center. Glezen's primary research interests include the epidemiology of respiratory viruses, the control of epidemic influenza, the impact of respiratory virus infections on persons with chronic underlying conditions and live-attenuated nasal spray influenza vaccine.
Dr. Pedro Piedra is professor of molecular virology and microbiology and of pediatrics. Piedra's research is focused on influenza and other respiratory illnesses in children. He is principal investigator of a study to protect the community against influenza through universal vaccination of school-aged children, who have the highest infection rates and play a major role in the transmission of the flu throughout the community. He has also worked to investigate candidate vaccines for the control of epidemic influenza.
Dr. Robert Atmar is a professor of medicine and of molecular virology and microbiology. Atmar studies respiratory viral pathogens, including their epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention and their impact on different populations. His goal is to develop methods that can be used to study the epidemiology and transmission of these viruses, leading to improved strategies for prevention.
Dr. Robert Couch is professor of molecular virology and microbiology. His clinical and research focus is on acute respiratory diseases, including influenza, and vaccine development. Couch has been involved in research on the development of improved influenza vaccines and on the development of vaccines for pandemic influenza.
Dr. Wendy Keitel is a professor of molecular virology and microbiology. Keitel is director of the federally funded Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. Her research focuses on the development of vaccines – particularly those against respiratory infections – with a number of studies of vaccines ongoing. Most recently, she has worked on the development of improved vaccines against influenza, pertussis (whooping cough) and pneumonia.
Dr. Gail Demmler is a professor of pediatrics – infectious diseases. Demmler is director of the Diagnostic Virology laboratory at Texas Children's Hospital and focuses her research on infectious diseases in children and congenital cytomegalovirus infections. Her research seeks to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases such as influenza in children.
Dr. Hana El Sahly is an assistant professor of medicine and of molecular virology and microbiology. Her research has focused on vaccine development and new therapies for infectious diseases other than HIV. This has included Phase I and II clinical trials of candidate vaccines in general populations, including infants and children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Dr. Shital M. Patel is an assistant professor of medicine and of molecular virology and microbiology. Her research interests have focused on vaccine development and vaccine strategies especially in high risk populations as well the general population. This has included Phase I, II, and III clinical trials of candidate vaccines in adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Dr. Flor Munoz is an assistant professor of pediatrics-infectious diseases and molecular virology and microbiology at BCM. Munoz is also a part of the pediatric infectious diseases section at Texas Children's Hospital. Her clinical interests include infectious diseases in children, vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization. Munoz's research focuses on vaccines, maternal immunizations and influenza.