SPECTRE Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment Readiness & Education Program

Welcome to SPECTRE!

We are SPECTRE—the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education Program—housed within the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB. Our mission is to strengthen local and regional readiness to respond to high-consequence infectious diseases, ensuring self-sufficiency and operational resilience.

SPECTRE supports the ongoing preparedness of UTMB’s Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU) by developing targeted training and education initiatives grounded in practical, frontline care. We focus on equipping healthcare professionals, across all of Region 6, with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to act swiftly and safely during special pathogen events.

We also foster collaboration with regional healthcare partners and public health entities, promoting a unified, state-driven response framework that ensures coordination without unnecessary duplication of federal efforts. In addition, we contribute to the infrastructure needed for clinically grounded research, ensuring that emerging knowledge translates directly into improved patient care and safety protocols.

 

Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Director, SPECTRE
Medical Director, Biocontainment Care Unit
Email: sumclell@utmb.edu
 Faculty Bio

Trending Topics

Ebola Virus

Who is SPECTRE

SPECTRE strengthens healthcare preparedness through training, education, research, and regional coordination. By equipping healthcare professionals with specialized skills, advancing infectious disease research, and leading regional preparedness efforts, SPECTRE enhances the ability to manage high-consequence infectious diseases. This video highlights SPECTRE’s mission and its role in providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively. Through evidence-based education, research, and strategic partnerships, SPECTRE helps build stronger response capabilities at institutional, regional, and national levels.

What we do

Clinical Care
Training & Education
Regional Coordination
Research Infrastructure

Learn More About Us >>  |  Job Postings >>

News & Events

 Latest News

UTMB’s Dr. Susan McLellan Honored with ASTMH Martin Wolfe Mentorship Award

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Susan McLellan, Professor in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), who has been awarded the prestigious Martin Wolfe Mentorship Award by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).

Dr. McLellan’s career reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing clinical care and public health response for emerging infectious diseases. Her work has taken her into some of the most challenging environments, including serving as a clinical consultant for the World Health Organization during the West Africa and DRC Ebola outbreaks. There, she provided direct patient care, evaluated treatment units, and contributed to clinical research efforts aimed at improving outcomes in resource-limited settings.

At UTMB, Dr. McLellan continues to play a vital leadership role. She serves as the Medical Director of the Biocontainment Treatment Unit, Director of Biosafety for Research-related Infectious Pathogens, and Director of the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, & Education (SPECTRE) program—all positions that highlight her dedication to strengthening infectious disease preparedness and training.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. McLellan’s extraordinary achievements and well-deserved recognition. Her mentorship has shaped the next generation of clinicians and researchers in tropical medicine and travelers’ health, and this award is a fitting tribute to her lasting impact on the field.

 Upcoming Events