Ira Blader among 65 fellows elected to American Academy of Microbiology
The American Academy of Microbiology has elected Ira Blader, head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, to its 2025 class of fellows, recognizing his significant contributions to microbiology.
Blader, who has led the department since 2024, is among just 65 scientists worldwide selected for the 2025 fellowship class. Fellows are chosen through a rigorous peer-review process that evaluates their scientific achievements and original contributions to advancing microbiology.
"This recognition reflects the growing strength of research at Virginia Tech," Blader said. "Understanding how pathogens interact with their hosts is crucial for both human and animal health. As department head, I'm excited to leverage this fellowship to create new opportunities for our faculty and students and further strengthen our position as leaders in One Health research and education."
"Dr. Blader's return to Virginia Tech and this prestigious honor reflects the caliber of his work," Dean M. Daniel Givens said. "His innovative research and leadership are already enriching our college's contributions to veterinary medicine and biomedical research."
As head of biomedical sciences and pathobiology, Blader leads the veterinary college's largest department, which drives significant research initiatives in One Health medicine, particularly in infectious disease, inflammatory disease, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine. The department's faculty provides essential Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and professional curricula while conducting groundbreaking research.
The department is also home to one of the few combined pathology residency/Ph.D. programs in the nation, training the next generation of veterinary pathologists and research scientists. The department's faculty also provide professional expertise for ViTALS: Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services, accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service National Animal Health Laboratory Network member, part of the U.S. Dpeartment of Agriculture.
Blader's research focuses on how parasites interact with their hosts, particularly on Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can affect humans and animals. Blader, who earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 1993, returned to his alma mater in 2024 after building a distinguished career in parasitology research. He is also incoming editor in chief for the American Society for Microbiology journal mSphere.
The American Academy of Microbiology is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, which includes more than 37,000 scientists and health practitioners worldwide. This year's fellows represent nine countries, including the United States, Australia, Denmark, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
