Dr. Vojo Deretic stands as a distinguished leader in cellular microbiology and immunology, renowned for his pioneering contributions to understanding autophagy mechanisms in host-pathogen interactions. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center's School of Medicine, where he has held a primary appointment since 2001. Dr. Deretic received his comprehensive scientific training through undergraduate, graduate (Ph.D.), and postdoctoral education in Belgrade, Paris, and Chicago, establishing a robust international foundation for his research career. His leadership extends to directing the NIH-funded Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism (AIM) Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, positioning him at the forefront of interdisciplinary research bridging fundamental cellular processes with clinical applications.
Dr. Deretic's groundbreaking research has fundamentally reshaped understanding of autophagy as a critical defense mechanism against infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis and HIV, with his team's discoveries revealing intricate connections between cellular degradation pathways and immune responses. His laboratory's identification of molecular mechanisms by which autophagy intersects with inflammatory pathways has provided novel therapeutic targets for host-directed therapies against persistent infections. His 2017 publication in The EMBO Journal on dedicated SNAREs and specialized TRIM cargo receptors mediating secretory autophagy represents a paradigm-shifting contribution that established new frameworks for understanding cellular immunity. His work on AMPK activation during lysosomal damage and targeted pulmonary delivery of autophagy inducers for tuberculosis treatment has catalyzed significant advances in developing host-directed chemotherapy approaches for infectious diseases.
Beyond direct research contributions, Dr. Deretic has cultivated a thriving research ecosystem through his leadership of the AIM Center, which actively promotes autophagy research nationally and internationally while developing the next generation of scientific talent through structured mentoring programs. He has demonstrated exceptional ability to balance significant administrative responsibilities with hands-on experimental research, continuing to work personally in the laboratory specializing in high-content and quantitative microscopy techniques. His mentorship philosophy emphasizes developing both junior faculty and senior experts capable of advancing understanding of fundamental autophagy mechanisms and their intersections with human disease. As evidenced by his 2022 selection as Annual Research Lecturer at UNM and his prestigious NIH MERIT award in 2018, Dr. Deretic remains at the cutting edge of international science, with his current work focusing on translating autophagy research into potential clinical applications for infectious disease treatment.
