Jason T. Blackard PhD

Jason T Blackard currently directs a translational research laboratory that focuses on human and mechanistic studies to understand the interactions between various viral pathogens. Using a variety of cell culture systems, molecular virology techniques, and patient-derived samples, he investigates the pathogenic and evolutionary mechanisms by which viruses interact with the host and cause disease. At present, laboratory studies involve hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), pegiviruses (HPgV; GBV-C), and HIV and include international collaborations in South Africa, Botswana, India, Nigeria, and Ghana.

In addition to research responsibilities, he served as the Program Director for the Pathobiology & Molecular Medicine Graduate Program from 2011 to 2014. In 2014, he was appointed as the Director of the newly formed Office of Global Health. He currently serves as the co-chair of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health Research Committee. Recently, he was named as the Associate Program Director for the NIH-funded KL2 Scholars Program that is responsible for mentoring junior faculty and facilitating their transition to independent research careers.