Current Position

Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.

CMIB Degree

PhD CMIB, Michigan State University, 2009

Prior Degrees

• BVSc & AH, Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, 2002, Kerala Agricultural University, India, 2002
• MVSc, Veterinary Microbiology, 2004, Madras Veterinary College, India, 2004

Mentor(s)

Thomas Whittam

Research Interests

The mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria enter and cause disease in host are fascinating. Equally intriguing are the ways by which they evade the host immune response. I want to focus on the identification and functional
characterization of virulence determinants of pathogenic bacteria as well as on their expression pattern.

Thesis

Interplay between acid resistance and virulence in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Dr. Vanaja's publications