LSU Science Café: How Sick Do You Feel?

3353 Highland Road,Baton Rouge LA 70802

30 May, 2023

Description

Pharmaceutical companies have not developed new classes of antibiotics over the last several years and at the same time, the over prescription of antibiotics may be contributing to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. As a result, researchers at LSU are exploring new ways to combat illness. Instead of attacking the virus, bacteria, or parasite, they are looking at FDA-approved drugs that make the human body inhospitable to certain diseases. Microbiologist Juan Martinez shares findings from his research that will push you to think differently about how to treat illness. About the SpeakerDr. Juan Martinez is laying the scientific groundwork to tackle the persistent problem of bacteria that cause diseases that are unable to be treated with traditional medications. As part of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences, part of Dr. Martinez research endeavors is focused on finding alternative strategies to combat certain classes of disease-causing bacteria. He has covered a wide range of biomedical research, including an investigation of tick-borne diseases funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. His lab’s work is understanding how bacteria cause disease and at the same time expanding the arsenal to combat some of the most difficult infections plaguing humans and other animals. Born and raised in Chicago’s predominantly Mexican immigrant neighborhood La Villita, Dr. Martinez’s fascination with the inner workings of things drew him to the field of science. He earned a Ph.D. in microbiology and microbial pathogenesis from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent four years as a post-doctoral research scholar at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Prior to his arrival at LSU, he was a tenure track faculty member in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago. Photo credit: TBALSU Science Café is presented in partnership with Campus Federal Credit Union and WRKF. Registration & Attendance InformationThe event is open to the public and advance registration through Eventbrite is recommended. If you are attending in-person, please print your registration ticket or have it available on your electronic device upon arrival. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Event begins at 6:00 PM. If you are attending virtually, access to the live event will be available through Facebook Live. A Facebook account is not required to view the event livestream. The event broadcast will be closed captioned, and a recording of the event will be made available on the LSU Research YouTube channel shortly after the event.