Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Study Director, Institutional Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies
Education:
- PhD in Experimental Pathology
|2006| University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX - Master of Science in Biology
|2001| Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA - Bachelor of Science in Biology
|1997| Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Overview:
Dr. Comer has more than thirteen years of research experience in
bacterial pathogenesis, medical countermeasure discovery/testing, and
animal model development. Dr. Comer collaborates with UTMB Principle
Investigators to design and execute regulated nonclinical studies which
includes developing study protocols and standard operating procedures.
He ensures regulated studies adhere to the required standards, approves
the study data and serves as a single point of control for GLP studies.
Before joining UTMB, Dr. Comer served as a Study Director, conducting
GLP-compliant studies to test medical countermeasures against select
agents at Battelle in Columbus, OH As a study director, he has been
involved in developing animal models of infectious disease that are used
to evaluate vaccines and therapeutics according to the FDA’s animal
rule. He has also designed and directed GLP-compliant studies to test
the efficacy of medial countermeasures to a variety of select agents in
several animal models including non-human primates (NHPs). Dr. Comer
animal models of inhalational anthrax, pneumonic plague and tularemia to
test countermeasures under several indications, including general use
prophylactics, post-exposure prophylactics and therapeutic
intervention.Data from these studies have been submitted to the FDA for
animal model development data packages and for evaluation of safety and
efficacy supporting product licensure under the FDA "Animal Efficacy
Rule". Data generated during studies where Dr. Comer served as Study
Director have been presented at national and international meetings and
will be part of licensure applications submitted to the FDA.
Research interests:
Dr. Comer is interested in the development of infectious disease
models that can be used to evaluate the vaccines and therapeutics under
the standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Dr. Comer serves as a Study Director and plans and oversees
preclinical studies to ensure they meet the FDA regulations. His end
goal is to facilitate the FDA licensure of new vaccines and therapeutics
against bio-threat agents and newly emerging diseases.