John W. Sanders

With over 30 years of experience in infectious diseases and vaccine research, John Sanders has a deep and diverse background in exploring the pathophysiology and prevention of infectious diseases across various animal models and human populations. His research has consistently focused on vaccine development and evaluation, utilizing animal models, including rodents and non-human primates (NHPs), to assess immune responses and the broader physiologic impacts of viral infections. In collaboration with Dr. Jim Daunais, he has conducted exploratory research evaluating the neurologic effects of viral infections in both rodent and NHP models, providing a strong foundation for the proposed study developing the tree shrew as a model for the assessment of dengue infection as a platform for vaccine candidates and therapeutics.

Beyond preclinical studies, he has substantial experience in clinical and translational research focused on the neurologic and psychological outcomes of infections, such as Gulf War Syndrome and Long COVID. This expertise in post-infectious syndromes has informed my approach to understanding neuroinflammatory processes and brain activity changes, making me uniquely positioned to contribute to the proposed project. As a physician-scientist, my clinical background complements my research, ensuring that findings translate into meaningful insights for disease management and prevention.

He has conducted the design and execution of clinical trials, as well as leading large epidemiologic studies investigating post-infectious sequelae. His prior leadership roles within the U.S. Navy and academia have further equipped him to engage in multidisciplinary research and manage complex research teams, making him an ideal collaborator for this study assessing the neurobiological consequences of dengue infection.

Recent publications