Spotlight on Collaborative Health Science: Dr. Jeniel Nett Leads Innovative Research to Combat Catheter-Related Infections
The Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has awarded $3.6 million through its Collaborative Health Sciences Grant Program, supporting six interdisciplinary research teams tackling some of today’s most pressing health challenges.
Among the funded projects is a groundbreaking study led by Jeniel Nett, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, in collaboration with Christian Franck, PhD, professor of Mechanical Engineering. Their project, Understanding and Modulating Host Defense Against Vascular Catheter Infections, explores how the body’s immune system interacts with medical devices used to deliver life-saving treatments.
Central venous catheters, while essential for patient care, can also be a source of serious bloodstream infections — including those caused by Candida auris, a dangerous and drug-resistant fungal pathogen. Dr. Nett’s team aims to understand how the physical properties of catheter surfaces, such as stiffness, influence the body’s immune defense and the effectiveness of neutrophils, the white blood cells that serve as the body’s first line of defense against infection.
By combining expertise from infectious disease and engineering, this interdisciplinary effort seeks to guide the design of next-generation medical devices that not only deliver treatment but also actively support the body’s natural defenses. The potential impact reaches beyond Wisconsin, offering insights that could reduce infections and health care burdens nationwide.
“WPP’s Collaborative Health Sciences Grant Program channels the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts across diverse fields to explore new solutions to complex health problems,” says Amy Kind, MD, PhD, SMPH associate dean for social health sciences and programs, and WPP executive director. “We look forward to the advancements and positive health impacts this research will yield in the years ahead.”
This innovative project reflects Dr. Nett’s ongoing commitment to understanding infectious diseases and improving patient outcomes through translational, team-based science.
Read the full article at: https://wpp.med.wisc.edu/news/2025-collaboration-health-sciences-grants/