Dr. Shakti Singh Awarded Five-Year NIH Grant for Groundbreaking Research on Candida auris

Dr. Shakti Singh from the Division of Infectious Diseases has been awarded the prestigious five-year K01 Grant for their innovative research on the deadly fungal pathogen Candida auris. This five-year grant, provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports Dr. Singh’s cutting-edge work, which aims to unravel the complex mechanisms of C. auris virulence and explore new vaccine strategies.

Project Overview

Candida auris has been declared an "Urgent/Critical Threat" by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This emerging fungal pathogen primarily affects immunosuppressed patients and has garnered global attention due to its alarming resistance to all currently available antifungal drugs. With a mortality rate of approximately 60%, C. auris represents one of the most formidable challenges in contemporary infectious disease management.

Dr. Singh’s research project will investigate the role of C. auris cell surface proteins in its virulence mechanisms. Understanding these proteins is crucial, as they play a key role in the pathogen’s ability to invade and thrive within the human host. Dr. Singh aims to identify potential strategies for developing novel vaccine/immunotherapeutic strategies by targeting these proteins.

Impact of the Research

Dr. Singh’s research findings can potentially revolutionize the approach to C. auris treatment and prevention. With antifungal resistance on the rise, developing an effective vaccine/immunotherapeutic could be a game-changer, offering a new line of defense against this deadly pathogen.

This grant acknowledges Dr. Singh’s exceptional work in infectious diseases and underscores the importance of continued research in combating antimicrobial resistance. The Division of Infectious Diseases is proud to support Dr. Singh in this critical endeavor, which promises to improve patient outcomes and save lives.

About the K01 Grant

The K01 Grant is awarded to promising early-career scientists to support their transition to independent research careers. It provides funding for up to five years, allowing recipients to focus on developing their research programs and building the skills necessary for future leadership roles in their fields.

For more information on Dr. Singh’s research or about the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Lundquist Institute, please visit : Lundquist.org/Shakti-Singh.