Infectious Diseases

About the Department

The goal of the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to study devastating diseases of childhood through a comprehensive approach including basic science research, translational trials, and bedside care.

Among the top infectious causes of death worldwide are respiratory diseases and HIV/AIDS. The Department of Infectious Diseases seeks to focus on the pathogenesis of these infections with a breadth of commitment that extends from the research bench to the bedside. Investigations take place at progressive levels: manipulation of genes is expected to lead to phenotypes in cell culture systems that can be modeled in animal studies. Therapeutic candidates in the form of antimicrobials, vaccines, or adjunctive therapies are further pursued in clinical trials in children.

Areas of excellence

SARS-CoV-2

Department investigators are leading collaborative efforts to understand SARS-CoV-2 (and other coronaviruses) biology, transmission, pathogenesis, and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Visit the St. Jude Global COVID-19 Observation and Research Center for Childhood Cancer

photo of standing man and woman on bench.

Fellowship Training

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship Program prepares pediatricians for a successful career through comprehensive training in infectious diseases clinical medicine and in basic, translational and clinical research.

Explore the PID Fellowship Program

HIV/AIDS

At St. Jude, we're changing the way the world treats and defeats pediatric infectious diseases. In 1987, Danny Thomas declared AIDS a catastrophic disease of children. Soon after, the hospital made HIV/AIDS a research priority, and created the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Unit.

Learn more about HIV research and treatment at St. Jude

Pediatric Transplant Infectious Diseases

The goal of PIDTRAN is to provide a collaborative network for identifying, developing, and providing ongoing support for innovative clinical and translational research in the field of Pediatric Transplant Infectious Diseases.

Learn about the PIDTRAN Coordinating Center

Faculty

Leadership

Octavio Ramilo, MD
Chair, Infectious Diseases

Faculty Bio

Aditya Gaur, MD
Director, Clinical Research Infectious Diseases
Director, Translational Trials Unit

Faculty Bio

Gabriela M. Maron Alfaro, MD, MSc
Director, Transplant ID Division

Faculty Bio

Steven M. Varga, PhD
Dean, St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty Bio

Joshua Wolf, PhD, MBBS
Director, ID Heme/Onc Division

Faculty Bio

Join us

St. Jude investigators have the freedom to focus on making big discoveries, backed by extraordinary resources and support teams. We are always looking for highly motivated scientists and engineers with passion and talent to join us!

Explore career opportunities in Infectious Diseases

We are currently recruiting!

Apply

Contact us

Department of Infectious Diseases
MS320

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN, 38105-3678 USA

octavio.ramilo@stjude.org

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