APRIL 18, 2024 — UTSA College of Sciences faculty member Jose Lopez-Ribot has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his lifetime contributions to the field of medical mycology. Lopez-Ribot is nationally recognized for developing strategies to diagnose, prevent and treat candidiasis.
Candidiasis is among the most common hospital-acquired infections and can be fatal —often affecting hosts with defective immunity. The Lopez-Ribot Lab studies fungal infections, particularly Candida albicans, the pathogen that causes candidiasis. His research seeks to develop novel immune-based therapies to combat this pathogen.
“Dr. Lopez-Ribot's research is highly advanced and impactful,” said JoAnn Browning, interim vice president for the UTSA Office of Research. “So many people benefit from the advancements his research makes, from the students who learn from him to the patients who contract infections. I am immensely proud and gratified to see his potentially lifesaving work being recognized in this way.”
Other areas of emphasis in Lopez-Ribot's research include the pathogenesis and biofilms unique to C. albicans, genomics and proteomics, cell wall and adhesion, antifungal drug resistance, development of diagnostic techniques for candidiasis, and high throughput screening for antifungal drug discovery.
In addition to his research, Lopez-Ribot is dedicated to his role as a mentor for doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty.
“I try to always provide personalized guidance that transcends academic instruction,” said Lopez-Ribot. “I want to instill in my students a profound sense of purpose and commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of fungal infections.”
Lopez-Ribot's mentees have emerged as leaders and innovators and have made transformative contributions to the field of medical mycology and beyond.
“For me personally, being elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science is a profound honor that signifies the culmination of over 35 years of dedicated scientific inquiry and discovery in the field of medical mycology and serves as a powerful impetus to further our studies and research in this crucial field,” Lopez-Ribot said.
This latest announcement marks the third consecutive year UTSA faculty have been elected AAAS fellows. James Chambers (molecular microbiology and immunology), Aimin Liu (chemistry) and Angela Speck (physics and astronomy) were elected in 2022 while Audrey Lamb (chemistry) and Anthony Chronopoulos (computer science) became AAAS fellows in 2023. Other fellows have included Floyd L. Wormley Jr. (medical mycology) in 2019; Banglin Chen, 2017; Taylor Eighmy (societal impacts of science and engineering) in 2014, Rena Bizios (engineering) in 2010; Ravi Sandhu and Howard Grimes, 2008; George Perry, 1997; and Michael Doyle, 1994.
There are currently a total of 13 AAAS fellows at UTSA.
Founded in 1848, the AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society. The tradition of electing AAAS Fellows began in 1874 to recognize members for their scientifically or socially significant efforts to advance science or its applications. Fellows may be recognized for their achievements in research, teaching, or governance in relation to science.
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