Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases
Who We Are
The South Texas region faces a disproportionate burden of chronic infectious diseases—including HIV, tuberculosis, endemic fungal infections, and Long COVID—that impact both urban and rural communities. These challenges are intensified by coexisting conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and substance use disorders.
Our Center brings together UT Health San Antonio’s world-class researchers and community partners to develop innovative strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. With expertise in epidemiology, diagnostics, clinical research, and implementation science, our faculty are national leaders in infectious disease research, including groundbreaking COVID-19 and HIV studies.
By partnering with the communities most affected, we aim to transform care locally in South Texas while advancing solutions with national and global impact.
| Barbara S. Taylor, MD, MS | Director | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Hillary Johnson | Clinical Research Project Manager & Administrative Director | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Thomas Patterson, MD | Co-director | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Alyssa Anderson | Research Coordinator | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Cyrena Coté | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Jessica Courtright | Clinical Research Nurse | Department of Medicine–Infectious Diseases
Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Guicelda De La Cruz | Senior Administrative Assistant | Department of Medicine–Infectious Diseases
Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Miranda Escobedo | Clinical Trials Specialist | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Cheryl Farner, FNP | Family Nurse Practitioner | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Melinda (Mindy) Fischer
|
Research Operations Manager
|
Division of Infectious Diseases at UT San Antonio
Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases
|
| Claudia Güner | Program Coordinator Senior | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Patricia (Patty) Heard | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Jessica (Jessi) Hernandez | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Rosie Jaramillo | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Johnnie Jones | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Laura Najvar | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Marcos Olivo | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Alexis Pinones | Laboratory Manager | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Bridgette Soileau | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Michael Sullivan | Staff | Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Anna Tarranova, MD, MS | Vice President
Health Innovation |
University Health System |
| Jason Bowling, MD
|
Interim Division Chief/Professor
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Matthew Brigmon, MD
|
Alumni (Fellow)
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Jose A Cadena Zuluaga, MD
|
Professor
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Claudia Castillo Paredes, MD
|
Assistant Professor
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Mark Cedeno, MD
|
Assistant Professor/Clinical
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Divya Chandramohan, MD
|
Assistant Professor
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Cheryl Farner, NP
|
Family Nurse Practitioner | UT Health San Antonio
|
| Danielle Dixon, DO
|
Assistant Professor | UT Health San Antonio
|
| Manuel Endo Carvajal, MD
|
Assistant Professor/Clinical
|
UT Health San Antonio |
| Anthony Febres Aldana, MD
|
Assistant Professor/Clinical
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Heta Javeri, MD
|
Program Director – Infectious Diseases Fellowship
Assistant Professor/Clinical |
UT Health San Antonio |
| Chukwuemeka Okafor, PhD, MPH | Assistant Professor/Clinical
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Jan Patterson, MD, MS
|
Professor of Medicine
Associate Dean, Quality & Lifelong Learning |
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Thomas Patterson, MD | Professor of Medicine
Co-director |
UT Health San Antonio
Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Ruth Serrano Pinilla, MD | Assistant Professor/Clinical | UT Health San Antonio |
| Camille Spears, MD, MPH
|
Training and Education Specialist | UT Health San Antonio
|
| Barbara S. Taylor, MD, MS | Professor
Director |
UT Health San Antonio
Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases |
| Nathan Wiederhold, Pharm.D | Associate Professor
|
UT Health San Antonio
|
| Grey Casillas |
| Shelly Cole |
| Desiray Cordero |
| Delana Gonzalez |
| Juan (Lou) Lewis |
| Medea Morris |
| Willow Pate |
| Rob Purdie |
Contact Us
UT Health San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7881
San Antonio, TX 78229
Email: CenterCID@uthscsa.edu
Phone: 210-450-7612
Fax: 210-567-4670
Partnerships
Research Focus
Our research focuses on chronic infectious diseases that disproportionately impact South Texas, including HIV, tuberculosis, fungal infections, and Long COVID. We design and conduct clinical trials, vaccine studies, behavioral interventions, and community-based research to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. By addressing these challenges in the context of coexisting health conditions, we aim to deliver solutions that improve lives locally and globally.
Disease areas being studied
- Long COVID
- Tuberculosis
- HIV
- Endemic Fungal Infections
Our expertise is not limited to the above conditions, so please reach out if you have additional areas of interest.”
Recent Discoveries
Our Center is at the forefront of advancing care for chronic infectious diseases. From leading international COVID-19 therapeutic trials that informed Long COVID treatments, to groundbreaking work in HIV and vaccine studies, our team has contributed to discoveries with both local and global impact. We are also developing innovative diagnostics, testing new prevention strategies, and partnering with South Texas communities to ensure research directly improves lives.
Featured Ongoing Research Studies
- A Double-blind, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Bezisterim (NE3107) in Adults With Long COVID
- Performance evaluation of the VIDAS® TB-IGRA assay – Clinical Trial 2 Active TB Study
- An Interventional Efficacy and Safety Phase 3 Double-blind 2-arm Study to Investigate IV Followed by Oral Fosmanogepix Compared With IV Caspofungin Followed by Oral Fluconazole in Adult Participants With Candidemia and/or Invasive Candidiasis – FMGX-CS-301
Participant and Community Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical research studies health and disease in people to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat medical conditions.
By joining a study, you help advance science and improve health in your community. Many participants also gain access to new treatments and closer health monitoring.
All studies are carefully reviewed by an ethics board and monitored by trained medical staff. Your safety and privacy are always our top priority.
Many studies offer compensation for your time, travel, or other expenses. Details vary by study.
Yes. Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without affecting your regular medical care.
Want more details? Email us at CenterCID@uthscsa.edu.