Key Faculty & Specific Research Interests

Jacco Boon, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology and Pathology and Immunology
- Phone: 314-286-0857
- Fax: 314-286-2784
- Email: jboon@wustl.edu
Dr. Boon He specializes in basic research on RNA viruses, with a special focus on emerging virus such as influenza virus, Bourbon virus and SARS-CoV-2.

Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD
The Herbert S. Gasser Professor, Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology & Immunology
- Phone: 314-362-2842
- Fax: 314-362-9230
- Email: diamond@wusm.wustl.edu
Michael Diamond, MD, PhD is the leader of a basic and translational research laboratory studying the interface between viral pathogenesis and host immunity. His laboratory focuses on emerging RNA viruses including flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and coronaviruses.

James M. Fleckenstein, MD
Professor, Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology
- Phone: 314-362-9218
- Fax: 314-362-9129
- Email: jflecken@wustl.edu
Dr. Fleckenstein’s lab focuses on the identification and molecular characterization of novel ETEC virulence factors that could serve as targets for vaccine development. Studies in the lab use a variety of molecular techniques and in vitro and in vivo models to elucidate the role of these novel virulence factors in several key steps essential in the pathogenesis of these organisms: bacterial adhesion, intestinal colonization, and finally toxin delivery.

Hongming Ma PhD
Instructor in Medicine
- Phone: 314-362-2847
- Email: hongmingma@wustl.edu
Dr. Ma is skilled in Cell Biology, Science, Molecular Biology, Research, and Teaching. Strong education professional with a Ph. D. focused in Immunology of aquatic animals from Ocean University of China.

Rachel M. Presti, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine
- Phone: 314-454-8215
- Fax: 314-454-5392
- Email: prestir@wustl.edu
Dr. Presti specializes in clinical and translational research in infectious disease, with a special focus on HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.

Alaullah Sheikh, PhD
Instructor in Medicine
- Phone: 314-362-9219
- Email: asheikh@wuslt.edu
Dr. Sheikh specializes in bacterial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, host responses, and vaccines, with a special focus on enteric bacterial pathogens including enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).