Research

The Division of Infectious Diseases (ID) conducts basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic and outcomes research in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a number of diseases, including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infectious diseases. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our division has been engaged in research on SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pathogenesis, therapeutics, epidemiology/outcomes, and vaccine development. The division has a cadre of internationally recognized physician-scientists devoted to basic laboratory and patient-centered research, both in the United States and abroad. Current sponsored research and training in the division includes approximately 40 NIH, CDC, HRSA, foundation and pharmaceutical grants and contracts.

The ID Division research facilities include over 12,000 square feet of laboratory research and administrative space in the Weill Cornell Medical Center. There are 10 research laboratories (7,500 square feet) with adjacent staff offices. The ID laboratory research space is located adjacent to the Weill Cornell Department of Microbiology, allowing close collaboration between investigators and research teams.

Major laboratory research projects in the ID Division investigate antibiotic and antifungal drug development, bacterial pathogenesis and drug resistance, HIV reservoir, influenza, malaria/babesia, and tuberculosis.

Clinical research programs include the HIV Clinical Trials Unit, located adjacent to the HIV primary care clinic in two locations (NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and 53 West 23rd Street, 6th Floor, Chelsea), as well as Transplant Oncology Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology/Antimicrobial Stewardship programs. Major clinical research projects investigate bacterial infections and drug resistance, COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, healthcare-associated infections, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus, and transplantation/oncology ID.

Divisional clinical investigators also make use of the Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Sciences Center, a multi-institutional research consortium that includes Cornell University (Ithaca), the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Hunter College School of Nursing, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

The Center for Global Health research program includes laboratory and clinical research facilities in Brazil (HTLV-1, leishmaniasis, leprosy) and Haiti (HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis), as well as clinical research in India (leishmaniasis, tuberculosis) and Tanzania (HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis). Division faculty and fellows conduct research at each site.