Grand Challenge Initiative: Health and Preparedness

Monique Van Hoek is a leading researcher in the fight against antibiotic-resistant and biothreat bacteria. Her laboratory specializes in studying microbial pathogenesis and bacterial physiology, with particular expertise in Francisella tularensis (the causative agent of tularemia), bacterial communication systems, biofilms, and quorum sensing. Van Hoek's research addresses critical challenges in infectious disease, including the development and testing of novel antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds, with special emphasis on antimicrobial peptides effective against multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria. Her work encompasses all ESKAPE pathogens and explores innovative approaches to wound infections and healing. Current projects include investigating Nanotraps technology for biomolecule binding in Francisella tularensis and conducting comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of secreted proteins in Francisella novicida.

Ramin Hakami earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at MIT under Nobel Laureate Har Gobind Khorana and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. He is now an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at George Mason University, where his lab investigates how vesicular trafficking regulates innate immune responses during infection. A central focus of his research is understanding how extracellular vesicles (EVs) influence host defense against high-priority bacterial and viral pathogens, with the goal of developing novel host-based therapeutics and vaccines. His team also pioneers new EV technologies and collaborates on advancing innovative treatment platforms for infectious diseases.

Aarthi Narayanan is a Professor at George Mason University whose research centers on host–pathogen interactions of human disease-causing viruses. Her laboratory investigates how viral infections shape innate immune responses and uses transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets. By integrating multiomic data with machine learning, her team works to uncover broad-spectrum antiviral strategies and dynamic indicators of disease progression. These studies employ advanced preclinical models, from cell culture to organ-on-chip systems, to translate fundamental discoveries into clinically relevant therapies.

Emanuel Petricoin is a University Professor at George Mason University and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM), a position he has held since 2005. He previously served as Co-Director of the FDA-NCI Clinical Proteomics Program and as a Senior Investigator at the FDA. His research focuses on developing proteomics technologies for personalized therapy and biomarker discovery, with direct clinical applications. A co-founder of four life science companies, Petricoin holds 40 patents and has authored more than 350 publications, while also serving in leadership roles with HUPO and multiple scientific journals.

Alessandra Luchini is a Professor in the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine at George Mason University and Director of the Biosciences PhD Program in the School of Systems Biology. Her research focuses on developing nanotechnology-based tools to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases, with recent efforts advancing Lyme disease detection. A co-founder of Ceres Nanosciences and Monet Pharmaceuticals, she was named one of Popular Science’s “Brilliant 10” in 2011. In 2023, Luchini received Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award from SCHEV, the state’s highest honor for faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service.