Faculty serve as mentors, role models and teachers to develop future leaders of clinical and translational research. Nominated by the Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC) scholars, Andrej Spec. MD, MSCI, assistant professor of medicine and ID fellow alum 2013, was selected by a vote of the CRTC Directors. The selection is based on dedication and strength as a mentor.
Dr. Spec’s research is in fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, including those with transplants. His research focuses on Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Candida, Aspergillus and other invasive molds. He studies the epidemiology and factors that affect outcomes in patients infected with fungus, both in the United States and globally in resource limited settings of Guatemala and Ethiopia. He serves as the Associate Director of our Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit (ID-CRU) and is actively involved in the Mycoses Study Group (MSG), through which he participates and runs multicenter studies focused on new diagnostic tests and treatments for invasive fungal infections, and is the creator and leader of the Washington University Mycoses Group (a consortium of researchers interested in fungal infections). Dr. Spec also runs the division’s clinic focusing on invasive fungal infections, where he takes care of both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with fungal infections, which he considers the best and most rewarding part of his job.
“I am very grateful for what this award means”, said Dr. Spec, “Dr. Bill Powderly , co-director of the ID Division, once told me, ‘mentorship awards mean the most’.