Titles

James and Carolyn Frenkil Distinguished Dean's Professor

Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

School Affiliation

School of Medicine

Specialties

• Microbiology and Immunology
• Diarrheal Disease Pathogens

About

(410) 706-7114 jkaper@som.umaryland.edu

Dr. Kaper is an internationally-recognized microbiologist with specific expertise in the molecular pathogenesis of diarrheal disease pathogens, specifically Vibrio cholerae and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. He has constructed a number of live attenuated V. cholerae vaccine strains, which his long-time collaborator, Dr. Myron Levine, tested in numerous volunteer and field trials for clinical safety and efficacy. These strains included the first genetically engineered bacterial vaccine to be tested in humans (attenuated V. cholerae strain JBK70) and the first recombinant bacterial vaccine licensed for human use (attenuated V. cholerae strain CVD 103-HgR). Funded since 1982 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Kaper’s research on the pathogenesis of enteric disease has contributed to six books, 68 book chapters, and 303 articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

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This information was last updated December 18, 2024.