News Release

Targeting the difficult problem of C. difficle

University of Vermont professor named Pew's 'Biomedical Researcher of the Month'

Grant and Award Announcement

Pew Charitable Trusts

1 Researcher's Quest to Prevent Hospital-Associated Infections

video: 2012 Pew biomedical scholar Aimee Shen studies one of the leading causes of illness for people in hospital settings. As an assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at the University of Vermont, she's looking for ways to disable the bacteria Clostridium difficile, which contribute to 14,000 deaths linked to diarrheal illnesses in the US every year, according to the CDC. view more 

Credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts

WHAT: Microbiologist and molecular geneticist Aimee Shen, Ph.D., was named The Pew Charitable Trusts’ biomedical researcher of the month for her creative research on health care-associated infections. Specifically, Shen studies the bacterium Clostridium difficile, the cause of thousands of diarrhea-related deaths every year in the United States.

The bacteria form hardy spores that can survive antibacterial treatments. Shen’s University of Vermont laboratory focuses on germination—the process by which the spores become infectious bacteria again—with the long-term goal of developing new therapeutic tools to block it.

Shen’s story is part of Pew’s ongoing biomedical researchers of the month series that highlights research being conducted by Pew-sponsored scientists. Since 1985, Pew’s biomedical programs have provided funding to more than 500 early-career investigators who, like Shen, show outstanding promise in science with the potential to advance human health. The scholars’ exceptional research has earned them Nobel Prizes, Lasker Awards, MacArthur Foundation “genius” grants and other distinctions.

WHO: Experts are available for interviews regarding Shen's research and the program:

  • Aimee Shen, Ph.D., 2012 Pew scholar and assistant professor, College of Medicine, University of Vermont
  • Anita Pepper, Ph.D., director of the Pew Programs in the Biomedical Sciences
    Pew’s biomedical programs include the Pew scholars and the Pew Latin American fellows programs.

WHERE: Visit http://www.pewhealth.org/other-resource/One-Researcher's-Quest-to-Prevent-Healthcare-Associated-Infections-85899492077 to view the full video profile.

CONTACT: Chelsea Toledo at 202-540-6846, ctoledo@pewtrusts.org

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For information regarding the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, please visit http://www.pewscholars.org.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. http://www.pewtrusts.org


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