EPIC: At the forefront of biomedical research on eukaryotic pathogens
Eukaryotic pathogens cause some of the most devastating and intractable diseases in humans, including malaria, amoebic dysentery, sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and fungal meningitis. Globalization has increased such infections in the U.S. Many eukaryotic pathogens are classified as bioterrorism agents and/or neglected tropical diseases.
Clemson University’s Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center — EPIC — is an interdisciplinary research cooperative founded in 2013 that is at the forefront of biomedical research on these devastating pathogens.
EPIC scientists have a lengthy track record of major contributions in this globally important area of research.
EPIC News Bites
2026 EPIC Faculty Promoted
At the beginning of the Fall semester, the University announced the tenure and promotion of 20 faculty in the College of Science. Among those 20 faculty were four members of EPIC.
Zhicheng Dou (Biological Sciences) – Professor
Emily Rosowski (Biological Sciences) – Associate Professor with Tenure
Anna Seekatz (Biological Sciences) – Associate Professor with Tenure
Chris Chouinard (Chemistry) – Associate Professofr with Tenure
Congratulations to all!
Clemson research seeks to identify options for safer toxoplasmosis treatments
Researchers at Clemson University have identified a potential metabolic weak point in Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite estimated to infect up to one-third of the world’s population. A review led by biologist Zhicheng Dou highlights the parasite’s reliance on heme production, a process that differs from the pathway in human cells and could provide a target for safer treatments. Early lab studies found that compounds targeting the parasite’s heme pathway can dramatically slow its growth, though researchers still need to determine whether these compounds are safe, can reach chronic infections in the brain and can target dormant parasite cysts. The findings could also inform development of weakened-parasite vaccines for livestock, but Dou emphasized that potential treatments are still years away. Read more.
Dozens of students spend summer immersed in research through Summer CI
More than 30 Clemson students are spending the summer tackling research through the Summer Creative Inquiry (CI) program. Students from a variety of majors are working full-time in the lab or in the field, collecting samples, analyzing data, and more as part of the intensive 10-week program.
Biological sciences major Lauren Kling is studying the molecular mechanisms between fungi and bacteria during respiratory infections, particularly focusing on the fungal genes that help them adapt to competition with bacteria. By examining these microbial interactions, it may help develop new antifungal interventions and a better understanding of fungal pathogens in chronic respiratory infections. Stephen Dolan, assistant professor of genetics and biochemistry, is the faculty mentor for the project. Read more.
Dr. Stephen Dolan Selected for Definitive New Voices in Microbiology
Infection and Immunity (IAI) has announced the early-career investigators selected for the definitive New Voices in Microbiology. Chosen from a competitive applicant pool, these individuals were recognized for the strength and originality of their proposed minireview topic and their emerging track record in infection biology and immunology.
Selected applicants were invited to submit a minireview to IAI. Their submissions will undergo full peer review, and accepted minireviews will be published in the New Voices in Infection and Immunity collection.
Dr. Stephen Dolan is am EPIC microbiologist whose research focuses on polymicrobial interactions in cystic fibrosis airway infections, particularly fungal-bacterial communities. Using clinical isolates and comparative omics approaches, his work investigates interactions between pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the goal of informing new therapeutic strategies.
EPIC Researchers’ Work on Amoeba Drug Resistance Accepted for Publication
Caroline Palmentiero and Dr. Jillian McKeon have recently had their work on drug tolerant Naegleria fowleri accepted to the journal International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance. To understand amoeba responses to tow different experimental anti-amebic compounds, Caroline and Jillian grew amoeba in sub-lethal doses of compound for weeks and then assessed changes in phenotype responses to agents at the level of transcriptional and metabolic modifications. This work provides insights into how to further improve the utility of these lead compounds by combining them with partners drugs to potentiate their action.
$1.2M NIH Grant Awarded to Develop New Treatment for Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection
Jim Morris recently received word that a team his group is part of will be funded to work on development of a promising new compound for treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis caused by the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. The NIH R01 award (R01AI93220) is a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. As Co-I, Morris’ team will see $1,249,016 (of $3,797,665 total for the award) come to Clemson during the life of the five-year award.
Graduate Student Paper Accepted for Publication in Methods and Protocols
Colm Roster recently had a paper accepted to the journal Methods and Protocols that describes the approach he had developed for the isolation of an unusual extrachromosomal element found in the pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This tool has opened the door to future studies around the replications and maintenance of this interesting (and possibly druggable) DNA molecule.
Dr. Andrew Jezewski Awarded NIH Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Jezewski on his newly awarded NIH grant, “Acquiring a mass photometer for Clemson University.” This $235,090 grant provides funds to purchase a mass photometer, an instrument that enables key measurements of protein purity, oligomeric state, and interactions with other agents. This instrument will enable a breadth of discovery, from basic science about proteins to drug discovery.
EPIC Student Selected for Fulbright Award
Alexandra Harrington, an Honors student and biochemistry and genetics double major with minors in Spanish studies and microbiology from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was selected for a Fulbright teaching assistantship in Galicia, Spain. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through academic and cultural exchange. English Teaching Assistants support English instruction in host-country classrooms while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to community engagement. Congratulations, Alexandra!
EPIC Students Win Awards at SC ASM Spring 2026
Congratulations to all of our EPIC students who won awards at the South Carolina American Society for Microbiology Spring 2026 Conference. For Graduate Poster Presentations: Jessica Aycock and Shivani Kore. For Undergraduate Poster Presentations: Mallory Murphy, Steven Joseph, and Cameron Kennedy.
Dr. Sourabh Dhingra Awarded NIH R01
Congratulations to Dr. Sourabh Dhingra for his recently award NIH R01 award entitled, “Long-noncoding RNAafu-182- A novel regulator of fungal triazole tolerance”. The five year award for $2,109,560 focuses on understanding how the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigates responds to drug treatments as they develop resistance, with the ultimate goal being identifying means to interfere with these mechanisms so that treatments are successful.
Dr. Meredith Morris Awarded Fulbright Specialist Grant
Dr. Meredith Morris has been awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant to strengthen international research and training partnerships between the Institute of Parasitology in the Czech Republic and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC) at Clemson University. This project brings together two globally recognized centers focused on understanding parasites that impact human and animal health.
The Fulbright award will support scientific exchange, collaborative research, and shared training opportunities for students and early-career researchers. By building a sustainable bridge between the two institutions, the partnership will expand international opportunities, foster innovation, and strengthen global networks in infectious disease research.
Beyond advancing laboratory science, this collaboration emphasizes professional development, cross-cultural engagement, and preparing the next generation of scientists to work across borders to address complex global health challenges.
Questions?
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