Faculty Profile

Dr. Sara Dann’s research focuses on identifying and developing novel therapeutic targets to regulate intestinal inflammation and enhance host defenses against enteric infections. Her laboratory investigates how commensal, probiotic, and pathogenic microbes, along with parasites, interact with the host to shape immune responses and clinical outcomes. She employs innovative animal models, molecular and cell biology, and imaging techniques to study the neuroimmune regulation of mucosal immunity.
Current projects include identifying biomarkers and microbial metabolites that influence susceptibility to Clostridioides difficile infection, as well as collaborative efforts exploring the impact of malnutrition, chemokine signaling, and antimicrobial resistance on intestinal health. Her ultimate goal is to advance the fundamental understanding of host–microbe interactions and translate these insights into novel strategies for treating gut-related diseases.

Medical / Professional:

University of California, Riverside, California, B.S., 1995

University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, M.S., 1999

University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, Ph.D., 2005

University of California, San Diego, California, Postdoctoral Training, 2008