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| In this pre-pandemic file photo, Jonathan Rayner, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the USA College of Medicine, studies vector-borne diseases. |
A story about Rayner, who is also the director of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases at USA, was published by the Gateway Program at the Southeastern Regional Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. Read the story here: http://cdcsercoevbd-flgateway.org/meet-our-team-jonathan-rayner-phd/
The center, based at the University of Florida, is composed of research- and physician-scientists specializing in the study of vector-borne diseases. Goals for the center include its staff and partners working as a multidisciplinary team in search of new knowledge and strategies on how to recognize, prevent, and control vector-borne diseases in the Southeastern United States.
Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. They can be caused by parasites, bacteria or viruses.
The SECVBD consists of dozens of stakeholders throughout the southeastern United States and four universities: Florida International University, the University of Florida, the University of Miami and the University of South Florida. The Southeastern Regional Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Florida.
Before joining USA in 2017, Rayner worked in public and private industry for more than two decades, an experience that allowed him to help create and advance research projects on preclinical drug and vaccine development as well as preclinical efficacy trials. He also has experience in securing research support, garnering more than $600,000 in funding in the last three years since joining the USA College of Medicine.
