The internationally recognized faculty of the Medical Microbiology Laboratory has extensive experience developing, conducting, and interpreting tests for patients with viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, and for those prone to infections, such as cancer and AIDS patients.
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Faculty SpotLight
Sean Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Sean Zhang is an associate professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He specializes in medical microbiology, with particular focus on the discovery and diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.
Dr. Zhang holds an M.D. from Shanghai Second Medical University and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Turku in Finland. He completed... Read full bio
Browse All FacultyNavigating the Escalating Fungal Crisis: Insights from Dr. Sean Zhang
Fungal infections are increasing at an alarming rate as is resistance to current antifungal therapies. In his article in the April edition of CAP Today, Dr. Sean Zhang, Associate Professor of Pathology and Director of the Mycology Laboratory in the Division of Medical Microbiology, highlights these current threats and draws attention to diagnostic gaps in fungal infections.
Dr. Zhang draws attention to such pathogens as Candida auris, an organism that was rare in the USA and infrequently isolated at Johns Hopkins until 2020. Currently, this organism is responsible for outbreaks in hospital settings and has become resistant to many of the standard agents used to treat Candida infections. This is just one of the many organisms highlighted on the WHO fungal priority list which is discussed in the article.
Dr. Zhang and 29 other mycologists in the USA and Canada have joined forces and created the Fungal Diagnostics Consortium designed to improve laboratory diagnosis of fungal diseases. In a publication in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2021; 59:e0178420, the Consortium highlighted gaps in fungal diagnostics and Dr. Zhang summarized them in a bulleted list in the CAP article. The Consortium has also developed training course in Medical Mycology that has been very successful. Dr. Zhang’s own impactful clinical and research activities in this area are also highlighted.
Congratulations, Dr. Zhang and many thanks for highlighting this critical medical issue.
USCAP 2024
The 113th annual meetings of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology was held in Baltimore this year. This provided a wonderful opportunity for our alumni to visit their “old stomping grounds,” see what has changed, and most importantly, to reunite and share stories.
After a tour of the hospital guided by current residents, 100 alumni, friends, and current residents and faculty, gathered in the Armstrong Teaching Building for drinks and dinner.
The highlight of the evening was an entertaining talk “A short history of Pathology,” by Peter Burger.
Congratulations Castle Connolly Top Docs for 2024
Castle Connolly just announced their “top doctors” for 2024, and three of our faculty are on the list! 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctors As they describe it, ” Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.”
Congratulations Drs. Pedram Argani, Ralph H. Hruban and Brigitte M. Ronnett!