Matthew B. Lawrenz, Ph.D.

University of Louisville School of Medicine

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Matthew Lawrenz, Ph.D., is a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and a founding member of the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Lawrenz received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, studying antigenic variation in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi under the mentorship of Steven Norris, Ph.D. Upon completing his Ph.D., Lawrenz joined the laboratory of Virginia Miller, Ph.D., at Washington University, where he began to investigate virulence mechanisms in the plague pathogen Yersinia pestis. Lawrenz’s research is working toward a better understanding of how pathogens overcome our immune system to cause infections. This research includes projects to define the mechanisms used by Y. pestis to overcome nutritional immunity and manipulate the ability of immune cells to mount effective antimicrobial responses during plague. His research group also employs preclinical models to test new vaccines and antimicrobials to treat infections by Y. pestis and other bacteria.

Lawrenz works to promote the importance of a culture of biosafety and infection control through community education. He has served on the program committee for ASM Biothreats and is currently a member of the ASM Microbe Mechanisms of Discovery Program Committee.