Trillions of microbes live on and inside our bodies, forming what can be described as an 'organ' that plays a critical role in health, physiology, and defense against pathogens. One of the major questions in this field is how microbes come together to form communities that perform essential functions for the host.

One research interest is in the de novo design, in which one designs proteins or drugs beginning from first principles. This approach critically tests our understanding of protein folding and function, while also laying the groundwork for the design of molecules with properties unprecedented in nature.

Stephen L. Hauser, M.D. is the Robert A. Fishman Distinguished Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, an umbrella organization that links the clinical and basic neurosciences at UCSF to accelerate research against neurologic diseases. A neuroimmunologist, Dr. Hauser’s research has advanced our understanding of the genetic basis, immune mechanisms, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Pam Murnane is an Assistant Professor in the department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at UCSF. Her research focusses on biological, behavioral, and structural factors that influence maternal and child health outcomes in the context of HIV in resource limited settings. She has expertise in epidemiologic methods, adherence measurement, risk prediction, and implementation science.