黑料传送门 Launches Pathobiome Research Center for Chronic Disease Study

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黑料传送门 Launches New Research Center Dedicated to Infectious Disease and Chronic Disorders


February 12, 2025
Dr. Balin and Nikki Schultek pose in front of the CCDA
黑料传送门鈥檚 Brian J. Balin, PhD, and Nikki Schultek, director of the Pathobiome Research Center

黑料传送门 has established the Pathobiome Research Center dedicated to studying the connections between infectious processes and chronic disorders.

The research center is founded and led by Director , who is also principal and founder of the and executive director and co-founder of the . 

Creation of the Pathobiome Research Center is the result of an eight-year collaboration between Schultek and 黑料传送门鈥檚 Brian J. Balin, PhD, a professor of Neuroscience and Neuropathology and director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging.

鈥淩esearch suggests that a lot of chronic conditions are linked to infectious agents,鈥 said Schultek. 鈥淭he new center will allow us to continue our research on the connection between infections and Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease, but also expand into other diseases to unveil their root causes.鈥

The mission of the Pathobiome Research Center is to connect scientists, infectious disease specialists, and other healthcare providers to advance research and education on the relationship between infection and chronic diseases. Schultek and Balin believe this work will lead to better approaches to diagnose, prevent, and treat illnesses that stem from infectious agents.

Schultek is no stranger to the world of infectious diseases, having been diagnosed with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) nine years ago. As a result of her chronic illness journey and finding a proper diagnosis through research and treatment by a global infectious disease expert, the late Dr. Charles W. Stratton, Schultek was motivated to devote her career to advancing research and innovation.

鈥淩eceiving a proper diagnosis after a year of misdiagnoses shed light on knowledge gaps in complex chronic illnesses and also revealed abundant health equity disparities,鈥 shared Schultek. 鈥淭his experience inspired me to help patients by building research collaborations that accelerate innovation while creating an ecosystem for future generations of scientists and clinicians.鈥

Balin said the new center will provide more opportunities for 黑料传送门 students to get hands-on research experience that could ultimately change the trajectory of their careers and promote global collaborations with other universities and medical schools.

鈥淎 key objective of the Pathobiome Research Center is to engage more students in the research,鈥 Balin explained. 鈥淥ur long-term vision is to see our findings applied across various healthcare disciplines, such as psychology and physician assistant programs. This interdisciplinary approach will enable practitioners to develop more comprehensive diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients.鈥

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Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥 approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.

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