This Division quickly identifies and then characterizes newly emerging and reemerging infectious agents to determine the genetic relatedness and distribution patterns of specific strains of pathogens of public health importance in support of disease outbreak investigations and surveillance programs, monitors anti-viral/microbial drug resistance, and works closely with local, state and federal agencies to identify suspected agents of bioterrorism using molecular-based testing technologies such as...
- Nucleic acid amplification assays (real-time PCR)
- PFGE pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (DNA 'fingerprinting')
- Advanced DNA Sequencing Technologies (Next-Gen/Whole Genome Sequencing)
- Time resolved fluorescence
Division Chief: Robert A. Myers, Ph.D.
Office: 443-681-3800
Fax: 443-681-4504
Division Manager: Paul Stamper, M.S.P.H.
Office: 443-681-3870
Applied Research & Development Program:
Developmental Scientist II: Jenny Chen, M.S.
Office: 443-681-3921
Developmental Scientist II : Eric Keller, B.S.
Office: 443-681-4595
Developmental Scientist II: Garima Verma, Ph.D.
Office: 443-681-3874
Principal Developmental Scientist: Victoria Campodónico, MD, PhD, D(ABMM)
Office: 443-681-3940
Biowatch Laboratory
Laboratory Scientist Supervisor:
Anish Patel, M.S.
Office: 443-681-3875
Lab: 443-681-4562
Core Sequencing
Laboratory Scientist Supervisor: Terence Moore
Office: 443-681-3922
Laboratory Scientist Lead: Neil Chapel
Office: 443-681-3881
The Core Sequencing Laboratory performs next generation sequencing on viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens of human health concern. The data created is used for outbreak detection and investigation, antimicrobial drug resistance monitoring, and pathogen identification.
HIV Diagnostics/Disease Assessment Laboratory
Laboratory Scientist Supervisor:
Mark Massey
Office: 443-681-3872
Laboratory Scientist Lead: Matt Stielper
Office: 443-681-3877
Instructions- Serological Testing Form with HIV
● Unit processes specimens for HIV screening and confirmation (Antigen/Antibody, molecular testing).
● Unit processes specimens to monitor HIV treatment-Lymphocyte Immunophenotyping (flow cytometry, CD4, CD8 enumeration) and HIV-1 viral load.
Special permission must be obtained before sending specimens for this testing.
Molecular Diagnostics/Bioterrorism Laboratory
Lab: 443-681-3924
Fax: 443-681-3899/4504
Laboratory Scientist Supervisor:
Alex Kim, B.S.
Office: 443-681-3923
Molecular Diagnostic Lead Scientist: Vacant
Office: 443-681-3920
Molecular Bioterrorism Lead Scientist: Salimatu Lukula, M.S.
Office: 443-681-3905
Run molecular based assays (qPCR, RT-qPCR, etc.) to detect pathogens, agents, and toxins of interest. Provide both clinical diagnostic and epidemiological surveillance data, with local and Federal partners, to help monitor the overall health of Maryland and its residence.
Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory
Laboratory Scientist Supervisor: Vacant
Office: 443-681-3873
Laboratory Scientist Lead: John Thoguru
Office: 443-681-3880
Immediate response to State and National Outbreak. Regional Laboratory CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN)
See webpage
Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN).
● Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) colonization and isolate testing.
● Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) colonization and isolate testing.
● Candida auris colonization and isolate testing.
