Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Professor Roepe and Mynthia Cabrera (Chemistry grad student) looking at live malarial parasites growing in human blood culture.

Founded in 2004, Georgetown’s Center for Infectious Disease brings together representatives from the scientific, medical and public policy communities to work together and fight infectious diseases across the globe.

The CID grew out of a desire to coordinate efforts among Georgetown researchers studying microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. The founders of the Center recognized Georgetown’s unique position as a global leader in policy development and the importance of policy in controlling infectious disease. Their hope is that cross-disciplinary efforts in the sciences and policy will result in a global impact on reducing infectious diseases.

The co-directors of the CID are Dr. Steve Singer, associate professor of biology, Dr. Paul Roepe, professor of chemistry and of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, and Dr. Richard Calderone, professor and chair of microbiology and immunology. Dr. Heidi Elmendorf, associate professor of biology, was also instrumental in establishing the center.

The CID brings together approximately forty faculty members, plus the members of their labs, to share ideas through seminars, collaborations, and joint research efforts. More than ten different departments located in Georgetown’s main, medical, and law campuses are represented by faculty affiliated with the CID. The CID Advisory Board includes representatives from the main campus sciences, Medical Center basic research and clinical departments, Center for Clinical Bioethics, School of Foreign Service, and the Law Center.

Annual conferences have become a primary activity of the center and gather faculty, keynote speakers and students together to discuss recent findings and research approaches. In February 2006, about 100 researchers met at Georgetown’s Leavey Center to share research through symposia and poster sessions during a day-long conference.

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