In February, David Tobin, co-primary faculty member with IIB and MGM was one of 65 new American Academy of Microbiology fellows elected to the Class of 2024.
This prestigious honor recognizes individuals within the American Society for Microbiology who have made significant contributions to the field of microbiology. The selection process is rigorous, involving peer review and consideration of candidates' scientific achievements and original contributions that have advanced microbial sciences.
Notably, the announcement emphasizes the commitment of the Academy and the American Society for Microbiology to promote inclusive diversity. Among the new fellows, there is significant representation from women and historically underrepresented ethnic groups, comprising 25% and 23% of the Class of 2024 in the U.S., respectively. Additionally, the fellows hail from seven different countries, underscoring the global nature of microbiological research and collaboration.
David Tobin's laboratory research focuses on the intricate interactions between mycobacteria and their hosts, with the ultimate goal of addressing the devastating impact of tuberculosis, which claims the lives of 1.5 million individuals annually. Dr. Tobin integrates model organism genetics, human genetics, pharmacology, and high-resolution microscopy to uncover fundamental pathways in both the infecting bacteria and the host innate immune system that can become targets for novel therapeutic interventions to combat tuberculosis.
Dr. Tobin is being recognized by the AAM for his identification of novel pathways influencing susceptibility to tuberculosis by applying a zebrafish model of human tuberculosis.