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Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics

CIDD embraces all scales and components of infectious disease biology. Our interdisciplinary approach, coupled with a dynamic viewpoint, provides insight into how to prevent or reduce infections.

Center Overview

CIDD encompasses expertise in such basic fields as ecology, evolution, mathematical biology and molecular biology as well as applied disciplines including epidemiology, drug development, and vector control. We have partnerships across the globe with academic institutions, health agencies, and industry leaders to help bring its science into translational practice. Trainees in CIDD benefit from developing scientifically in this rich collaborative research environment, informed and shaped by real world practice.

70+ Research Groups engaged globally in 40+ Countries representing 15 Academic Departments across 5 Colleges at Penn State

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News

How does a deadly chicken virus escape vaccines designed to slow it?

A new genome-wide study of the virus that causes Marek’s disease in chickens has identified 10 regions in the virus genome that are associated with an increase in virulence. The study could inform the development of next-generation vaccines that are more effective at preventing future breakthroughs.

Huck Institutes announces recipients of nine interdisciplinary seed grants

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has awarded nine research teams seed funding for 2026-27. These grants support high-impact, innovative research projects that align with the Huck’s strategic research priorities and have the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs and generate significant return on investment.

NIH grants $2.8M to develop tools for study of mosquito-microbe interactions

To improve scientific understanding of the pathogens involved with mosquito-borne diseases and begin addressing these challenges, the National Institutes of Health’s Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease recently awarded a pair of grants collectively worth more than $2.8 million to Jason Rasgon, professor of entomology and of disease epidemiology and Huck Chair in Disease Epidemiology and Biotechnology.

News

How does a deadly chicken virus escape vaccines designed to slow it?

A new genome-wide study of the virus that causes Marek’s disease in chickens has identified 10 regions in the virus genome that are associated with an increase in virulence. The study could inform the development of next-generation vaccines that are more effective at preventing future breakthroughs.

Huck Institutes announces recipients of nine interdisciplinary seed grants

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has awarded nine research teams seed funding for 2026-27. These grants support high-impact, innovative research projects that align with the Huck’s strategic research priorities and have the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs and generate significant return on investment.

NIH grants $2.8M to develop tools for study of mosquito-microbe interactions

To improve scientific understanding of the pathogens involved with mosquito-borne diseases and begin addressing these challenges, the National Institutes of Health’s Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease recently awarded a pair of grants collectively worth more than $2.8 million to Jason Rasgon, professor of entomology and of disease epidemiology and Huck Chair in Disease Epidemiology and Biotechnology.

Ganda, Kovac and Hao named Huck chairs

A trio of Penn State faculty members have been named Huck chairs by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences in recognition of their research endeavors and track records of service to key Huck units.