Research A world-class research institute to facilitate interdisciplinary studies
New and re-emerging diseases pose a significant threat to Florida’s tourism, health and economy, amplified by the state’s climate and diverse agriculture. Florida’s unique geography and climate demand tailored disease prevention strategies grounded in the notion that pathogens transcend borders. With ongoing research in over 51 countries across six continents, the Emerging Pathogens Institute believes in expanding its focus from beyond Florida to improving the quality and health of the world.
Research purpose
Why Infectious Diseases?
Infectious disease study is a broad discipline with unique responsibilities. The study of infectious diseases can cure and prevent illnesses, identify specific disease causes and curb the effects of massive outbreaks. Pathogens are all around us, which makes infectious disease practitioners powerful in their ability to deal with the consequences of antibiotic resistance, international travel, variable climates and other new-age phenomena that help pathogens thrive. By taking a One Health approach, the EPI aims to tackle pathogenic research head-on to make a difference in how we battle infectious diseases.
EPI research areas
Animal Pathology
Antibiotic Resistance
Aquatic Pathology
Bacteriology
Biomedical Sciences
Epidemiology
Immunology/ Vaccination Science
One Health
Parasitology
Plant Pathology
Vector-borne Diseases
Virology
Educational pages
Whooping cough in Florida: What to know
Whooping cough affects the upper respiratory tract. A bacterial infection by Bordetella pertussis damages the airways, leading to severe and…
Influenza, or flu, in Florida: What to know
Influenza affects the nose, throat and lungs, and spreads through coughs and sneezes. While most recover, some cases become serious. Flu shots…
Citrus greening disease in Florida: What to know
Citrus greening, a destructive plant disease that affects the health of citrus trees, is devastating the Floridian citrus industry. Researchers and…
Research News
Batty pathogens: Why do bats spread so many…
Bats are large reservoirs for diseases, but they don’t appear to get as sick as we do. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine professor…
Why is food making us sick: Unpacking the rise of…
Why have there been so many recent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses? Food-safety experts are increasingly concerned about pathogens such as…
AI and epidemiology: Can combining the two…
Scientists weigh the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in epidemiological models to predict pandemics.
Expert Q&A’s
What is melioidosis? Expert explains infections…
Burkholderia bacteria cause serious diseases like melioidosis. UF researcher Dr. Apichai Tuanyok shares how they infect, evade and persist, and…
How to avoid getting sick during back-to-school…
Ready to head back into the classroom? So are pathogens! See what this expert from UF EPI is saying to those heading back to school, from tiny tots…
UF EPI expert explains measles as U.S. outbreaks…
University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute expert explains measles as U.S. outbreaks breach 1,000 cases for the second time this century.
Research Features
Barbecues, bites and biology: Tick-borne disease…
Florida has approximatley 25 to 30 ticks. Which ticks are in Florida? What diseases do ticks spread? And how do residents and visitors alike can stay…
New study suggests Florida Chagas disease…
A new study by UF Emerging Pathogens Institute members suggests Florida has all the ingredients for local Chagas disease transmission, a latent but…
It takes a village: Celebrating community in…
At EPI Research Day 2025, Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi underscores the need for collaboration in infectious disease research.
research briefs
UF experts join with partners at UNC and Johns…
Two UF EPI infectious disease experts are part of a new CDC-funded outbreak analytics and disease modeling network
Immune-boosting therapy helps honey bees resist…
Scientists have successfully tested a novel way of boosting honey bees’ immune systems to help them fend off deadly viruses, which have contributed…
Study: Where bison roam could spread microbes
A new study from University of Florida and Kansas State University researchers found that bison carry plant-associated fungi in their saliva, with…
Photo Essays
UF EPI researcher tracks bacterial genetic…
UF EPI member studies how the genetic makeup of a tuberculosis bacterial population changes during transmission.
Helping in Haiti
Haiti’s most recent earthquake caused damage to a building used by the University of Florida for past studies and projects. A retired UF staff member…
Science scenes: Central and Eastern Africa
Ever wonder what scientists are up to behind the scenes, when they are not consumed with crunching data, or endlessly editing papers for publication…
Science scenes: El Oro, Ecuador
Ever wonder what scientists are up to behind the scenes, when they are not consumed with crunching data, or endlessly editing papers for publication…
Research Archive
Gut bacteria blocks and enhances virus
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that bacteria present in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract either enhance or block…
Taking Ebola’s measure
New research by EPI’s Burton Singer quantifies how civil disruption and violence has unraveled Ebola control measures in the Democratic Republic of…
Eggplant’s newest pathogenic fungus
A known pathogenic fungus, so far only reported to cause disease in two crops, has ensnared a third victim: eggplants. UF plant pathologists…
