Dr. Kaper is an internationally-recognized microbiologist with specific expertise in the molecular pathogenesis of diarrheal disease pathogens, specifically Vibrio cholerae and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. He has constructed a number of live attenuated V. cholerae vaccine strains, which his long-time collaborator, Dr. Myron Levine, tested in numerous volunteer and field trials for clinical safety and efficacy.

These strains included the first genetically engineered bacterial vaccine to be tested in humans (attenuated V. cholerae strain JBK70) and the first recombinant bacterial vaccine licensed for human use (attenuated V. cholerae strain CVD 103-HgR). Funded since 1982 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Kaper’s research on the pathogenesis of enteric disease has contributed to six books, 68 book chapters, and 303 articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

As chair of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the UMSOM, he has trained more than 60 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the area of enteric pathogenesis, many of whom now hold leadership positions in preeminent academic institutions. In addition to his roles as scientist and department chair, Dr. Kaper is also an academic leader in the School of Medicine, serving as Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, where he oversees all of the School’s academic programs.