Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in children worldwide. To better understand the process of infection, advance cures and improve prevention strategies, St. Jude established the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions (HMI) in 2023. The HMI’s mission is to drive the creation of knowledge that solves evolving challenges in infection biology through scientific partnerships, education and discovery.
Led by Victor J. Torres, PhD, HMI leverages multidisciplinary research with close institutional collaborations with the Department of Infectious Diseases and other basic science departments to be at the forefront of discovery in infection biology.
Stacey Schultz-Cherry, PhD is a Full Member (Professor) in the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN where she serves as the Co-Director for the NIAID-funded Center for Excellence in Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) and Co-Director for the NIAID-funded Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Center (CIVIC). She received her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pathology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and did postdoctoral training in influenza virology at the University of Wisconsin. Before joining the faculty at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2009, she was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Schultz-Cherry is recognized internationally for her studies on the pathogenesis influenza and enteric viruses in high risk populations and influenza at the animal-human interface. Dr. Schultz-Cherry is the author and co-author of over 200 research articles, reviews and book chapters, is the past President of the American Society for Virology, and the current chair of the Public and Scientific Affairs Committee for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
Development of novel therapeutics against multidrug resistant pathogens
Short Biography
Dr. Victor J. Torres joined St. Jude in 2023 as the founding Chair of the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions. Previously, he founded and directed the Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine while also serving as the C.V. Starr Professor of Microbiology. Over the last 15 years, Torres has worked closely with industrial partners to translate his discoveries on Staphylococcus aureus virulence mechanisms into candidate vaccines and biologics. In 2023, Torres founded CIDR as a vehicle to accelerate research in catastrophic pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude.
HMI utilizes a myriad of scientific approaches to study the complex interactions between microbes and their host. These include techniques from microbiology, virology, immunology, biochemistry, chemical biology, structural biology and computational biology. HMI hosts several state-of-the-art collaborative centers.. Together with shared resources and core facilities, we are realizing our mission to tackle catastrophic infectious diseases.
Providing state of the art cell analysis and sorting services specializing in small particle detection and separation to advance infectious disease research.
Using metabolomics and lipidomics to explore the governance of microbial cellular functions by biochemical processes.
Center for Infectious Diseases Research
The Center for Infectious Diseases Research provides an institutional hub for collaboration among all researchers interested in host-microbe interactions and pediatric catastrophic infectious diseases.
Influenza research program The Influenza research program at St. Jude leads the US effort against pandemic influenza and collaborates with the World Health Organization in tracking the emergence of new influenza strains. Find out more.
Department team
Victor J. Torres, PhD
Chair, Department of Host-Microbe Interactions
Director, Center for Infectious Diseases Research
Albert and Rosemary Joseph Endowed Chair in Host-Microbe Interactions
Richard J. Webby, PhD Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds
Co-Director, St. Jude Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response
Stacey L. Schultz-Cherry, PhD Deputy Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds
Co-Director, St. Jude Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response
Co-Director, St. Jude Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response
Paul G. Thomas, PhD
Leader of the TIRTL Bluesky Initiative
Shelly Burrow
Administrative Director
Joel Otero, PhD
Director, Research Operations
Tracy White Sr Administrative Coordinator
Charles Ferryman
Grants and Contracts Administrator
Ashley L. DuMont, PhD
Scientific Writer
Julian D. Earl
Program Manager
James Knowles
Clinical Research Associate
Trupti Patel
Sr Administrative Specialist
Shandy Lewis
Sr Administrative Specialist
L'Keyla Holley
Sr Administrative Specialist
Training and Development
HMI faculty are invested in and committed to mentoring and training the next generation of scientists who will push the boundaries of research to solve important questions in the field of infection biology. Weekly work-in-progress meetings and departmental seminars raise the visibility of ongoing work across the member labs and provide opportunities for interaction, feedback, and collaboration with subject matter experts.
Interested in pursuing doctoral training in HMI? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers a degree-granting program from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Learn how a degree from St. Jude can support your scientific development and make a difference.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital also provides an unparalleled opportunity to advance the scientific career of postdoctoral fellows. Interested candidates should apply here or contact individual faculty members.
Current makeup and future growth
HMI is a new department and is undergoing substantial growth. HMI currently consists of eight individual laboratories and expects to grow to 17 laboratories over the next five years. St. Jude investigators have the freedom to focus on making transformative discoveries backed by extraordinary resources and support teams. We are always seeking highly motivated scientists with passion and talent to join us!
