Emerging Pathogens Institute

Out of the hundreds of fungal disease-causing pathogens in humans, only four are considered "critical risks" to human health. The deadliest, Cryptococcus neoformans, which colonizes the brain, can be found all around us. Luis R. Martinez, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and a member of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute, breaks down key questions surrounding this intriguing yet dangerous pathogen. go.ufl.edu/fl7j6gy

Venom has a few weaknesses, but how accurate are they to real-life organisms? #UFEPI member and infectious disease specialist Megan Stanifer, Ph.D., tells us how much of the #SpiderMan universe is fact versus fiction 🕷 Click the YouTube link in our bio for the full video of her reacting to the movies #SpiderMan3 and #Venom!

How much of the Spider-Man 3 and Venom movie could happen? What’s the science behind Venom’s weaknesses? What even are symbiotes? #UFEPI member and #InfectiousDisease specialist Megan Stanifer, Ph.D., breaks down symbiosis and tells us how much of the #SpiderMan universe is fact versus fiction 🕷 Click the YouTube link in our bio for the full video of her reacting to the movies #SpiderMan3 and #Venom!

UF PHHP and the @UF_EPI hosted a workshop in Taiwan to train international researchers on how to use artificial intelligence to predict and prepare for infectious disease outbreaks. phhp.ufl.edu/2025/11/17/phh…

Did you know that there are approximately one billion cases of seasonal flu each year? 🤧🤒 Dive into all things influenza so you can stay one step ahead of the virus this flu season. go.ufl.edu/jn4e31j

Once thought to be confined to tropical regions, Burkholderia infections are emerging in the United States. What is Burkholderia? What diseases does it cause? How big a concern is it? Read our latest expert Q&A with @TuanyokLab for all the answers. go.ufl.edu/pxz7dm6

FYI, the Smithsonian Museum's National Museum of Natural History (@NMNH) has an educational and informative digital exhibit on epidemics. The #OneHealth approach is featured prominently! Drop in for a virtual visit: naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/outbr…

This #Halloween, we’re chasing monsters — microscopic ones. 🦠🧌 #HappyHalloween

Flesh-eating bacteria. Brain-colonizing fungus. Brain-eating amoeba. Haunted horned rabbit virus. Parasitic zombie fungus. Swiss-cheese brain disease. 🧟🐰🧠🧀 You don’t need a haunted house, just a microscope. Meet the microbes that keep us up at night: go.ufl.edu/9r3156v.

Let’s face it — bats get a bad rap. Their links to disease and their spooky association with vampires influence their notoriety. 🦇🧛 In reality, bats are remarkable. So why is it that when we hear of disease outbreaks, it always seems to be bats? go.ufl.edu/32i6xj0

National Plant Diagnostic Network's seal of approval confirms that Florida farmers can expect "gold star quality" results from @UFPlantPath scientists. More on this history-making accreditation ➡️ bit.ly/4gW3VtM

As mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya and dengue surge in the Americas, targeted insecticide spraying might help. Ira Longini, professor of Biostatistics & @UF_EPI member, was part of a randomized trial where spraying cut community infections by 24%. phhp.ufl.edu/2025/10/09/tar…

Please join the Department of Environmental and Global Health as they host their Fall 2025 Seminar Series with Professor, Dr. Michael Lauzardo from the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida. #UFIC #GlobalGators #EGH #SeminarSeries

"Shift from focusing on the negative, and 'look for the helpers'." 👩‍⚕️ EPI member and @UFPHHP faculty Jerne Shapiro reacts to the movie Contagion. 🎥 How accurate is the film? How similar is it to the COVID-19 pandemic? Watch the full video to find out! bit.ly/46XrpdB

#GVNCenterHighlight @UF_EPI unites experts across disciplines to fight infectious disease threats from #Zika & #dengue to #COVID19 & drug-resistant bacteria. With global partnerships & One Health research, EPI advances innovation to safeguard public health.

Advancing global health through bacteriology 🌍 UF professor Anthony Maurelli, a @UF_EPI member, traveled to Guinea as a Fulbright Specialist to train scientists on antibiotic resistance and improve treatment for diseases like diphtheria and pertussis. phhp.ufl.edu/2025/10/02/phh…

How is AI transforming research, practice and the workforce? Find out at the DAISY 2025 Workshop (Oct. 24). The event brings together UF colleges and institutes — along with other experts — to explore advances in artificial intelligence. Register here: phhp.ufl.edu/about/artifici…

Medical geography Professor Sadie Ryan is leading efforts to predict disease risks and guide public health as mosquito habitats shift due to climate change, underscoring the vital link between planetary changes and future health.

Mosquitoes claim over 1 million lives annually. At UF, Daniel Swale's work on chemical scaffolds is helping to shape how to stop them from feeding altogether. It's an approach that could protect humans while also being potentially useful against other pests like ticks and aphids.

#Chagas awareness in the U.S. is gaining traction! I thank everyone fighting this disease and my collaborators. I look forward to improved access to testing, treatment and research efforts in the U.S. @UFMedicine @UF_EPI @hamer_lab @DNDi @MundoSano dndi.org/videos/2024/th…