William Shafer, PhD, received the Emory School of Medicine Dean's Eminent Investigator Award. Dr. Shafer is Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Co-Director Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, and Senior Research Career Scientist, Atlanta VA.
Dr. Shafer is internationally recognized for his work on mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, including clinically-used antibiotics and host defense compounds. Infectious bacteria have evolved and have been selected to be resistant to a host of antibiotics. Multiple strains of bacteria are now resistant to the most common and previously effective antibiotics. Recognizing this critical medical need, Dr. Shafer has devoted his entire career to understanding the basic and fundamental mechanisms that lead to antibiotic resistance.
In addition to the Dean's Eminent Investigator Award, Dr. Shafer was also appointed to the Emory School of Medicine Faculty Committee on Appointments and Promotions, all of this as he just completed his 40th year at Emory.