EPIC: At the forefront of biomedical research on eukaryotic pathogens
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

Zhicheng Dou Awarded $3.2 Million FDA Grant for Groundbreaking Research on Histomonosis
Zhicheng Dou, associate professor in Clemson University’s Department of Biological Sciences and member of the EPIC team, has been awarded $3.2 million in funding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The five-year grant supports Dou’s collaborative research with Danielle Graham of the University of Arkansas to combat histomonosis, a devastating parasitic disease also known as blackhead disease, which significantly impacts turkey flocks.
The research, funded through the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center initiative, focuses on understanding disease transmission and exploring existing FDA-approved drugs for treatment. Preliminary studies by Dou and Graham revealed that Histomonas meleagridis, the parasite behind histomonosis, forms cyst-like structures that may allow fecal-oral transmission in poultry, challenging long-standing theories of disease spread.

Dr. Lesly Temesvari Secures NIH Grant to Explore Innovative Treatment for Blinding Eye Infections
Dr. Lesly Temesvari, a faculty member and researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), has been awarded a NIH R21 grant to investigate potential treatments for Acanthamoeba castellanii, a pathogenic amoeba that can cause severe, blinding eye infections, particularly in contact lens wearers.
The study will assess the efficacy of thymosin-beta-4, a naturally occurring peptide with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, as a potential treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis. This research could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies to combat a challenging and often misdiagnosed infection.
Dr. Temesvari’ s work highlights EPIC’s commitment to advancing biomedical research and addressing pressing public health challenges

EPIC is excited to announce the 2025 Seifert Scholars Undergraduate Research program.
The 2025 program will be for ten weeks (May 21 – July 30).
Each Scholar will receive a stipend of $4200 (paid in three installments), and the Center can provide the Scholars lab with up to $500 for the purchase of supplies and materials.
Please see the pdf announcement for more information and for the Scholar application. The application deadline is February 14th, 2025.

Sarah McKay and Jessica Aycock Receive Bauer Family Travel Award
Congratulations to Sarah McKay and Jessica Aycock, the 2024 winners of the Bauer Family Travel Award!
Through a generous donation by Marty and Dr. Sarah Bauer, EPIC created the Bauer Family Travel Award. The award designates funds for PhD students in EPIC labs to attend national and international conferences.

EPIC Welcomes Dr. Jessica Larsen
We are excited to welcome Dr. Jessica Larsen to EPIC. Dr. Larsen holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University. Her outstanding contributions to research and mentorship have earned her several prestigious accolades, including Clemson University’s Phil and Mary Bradley Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry, the NSF CAREER Award, and the South Carolina Governor’s Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research.
Dr. Larsen’s research focuses on addressing the critical challenge of delivering treatments to the brain by developing polymeric biomaterials that can bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Her lab creates polymeric nanoparticles designed to respond to disease-specific stimuli, promoting natural healing processes within the brain. This pioneering work addresses a crucial need, as neurologic disorders represent the largest global health burden. We are thrilled to have Dr. Larsen join us and look forward to her contributions to EPIC.
Undergraduate, Jennifer Covel, Showcases Cryptococcus Research in Flash Talk at UK Microbiology Society Annual Meeting
Jennifer Covel, sophomore genetics major in the Smith lab, presented her research (Exploring the Roles of Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK2-FBP2) in Cryptococcus neoformans) at the UK Microbiology Society Annual Meeting in Ireland on November 5-6 in Athlone, Ireland. In addition to presenting at the poster session, she was also selected to give one of the Flash Talks.

EPIC Welcomes Dr. Christopher Chouinard
We are excited to welcome Dr. Christopher Chouinard to EPIC as our newest faculty member. Dr. Chouinard earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Florida, where he pioneered ion mobility-mass spectrometry methods for analyzing small biomolecules in complex samples. Following his doctoral work, he pursued postdoctoral studies at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, focusing on Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM). Before joining Clemson in August 2022, he spent four years on faculty at Florida Tech.
Dr. Chouinard’s research aims to enhance analytical sensitivity and selectivity by improving ionization efficiency through targeted chemical reactions, employing high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry for separation, and utilizing mass spectrometry imaging for spatial localization. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his contributions to advancing EPIC’s mission!

Congratulations to Carrie Baumgardner!
We are thrilled to announce that our student, Carrie Baumgarder, has been accepted to participate in the Workshop on Computational Modeling of Proteins for Infectious Disease Researchers. Held at Seattle Children’s Research Institute from December 9-11, this prestigious workshop will provide Carrie with hands-on training in structural resources and computational tools, equipping her with advanced skills essential for infectious disease research.
In recognition of her achievement, Carrie was also awarded a travel stipend from the workshop organizers. We are incredibly proud of Carrie’s dedication and look forward to seeing her contributions to the field of infectious disease research!

EPIC and The Department of Biological Sciences are Hiring!
The Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC) invite applications for a tenure-track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR position, to be filled by an innovative scholar whose research is in an area that complements our current department and center strengths. The anticipated start-date is August 2025.
We seek a candidate who will build a research program centered on parasitic and/or fungal diseases, including, but not limited to, mechanistic aspects of pathogen biology, pathogen-host or pathogen-vector interactions, evolution and ecology of infectious disease, drug-delivery, or translational research on communicable diseases caused by eukaryotic pathogens. Applicants who leverage cutting-edge techniques to address questions about host immunity are highly encouraged to apply. Click here for more information and to apply.

EPIC Students Present at REDDI Lab Symposium
Dylan Carroll, a genetics major in the Smith lab, and Sabrina Sutton Pizarro, a PhD student in Jim Morris lab, presented their research at the 4th Annual REDDI Lab Research Symposium entitled ‘Broadening Research at Professional Development in Clinical Diagnostics and Healthcare’ at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, SC on Friday September 13th. Dylan’s poster was entitled “Carnitine Biosynthesis in Cryptococcus neoformans” and Sabrina’s poster was entitled “Exploration of Putative Sodium/Proton Exchangers in Trypanosoma brucei.”
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