Skip to main content

Jan Naseer Kaur, PhD

  • Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology

Biography

Dr. Kaur is an accomplished molecular microbiologist and antimicrobial pharmacologist with extensive expertise in teaching biomedical sciences and conducting high-impact research on multidrug-resistant pathogens. She has over 8 years of experience teaching graduate and professional students in microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. Dr. Kaur possesses the ability to develop engaging curricula, mentor students in research, and translate complex scientific concepts into accessible learning experiences. She has a strong commitment to medical education with expertise spanning multiple foundational science disciplines essential for preclinical medical training and proven success in interdisciplinary collaboration across pharmacy, medicine, and basic sciences.

Education & Training

  • PhD, Microbiology & Immunology, University at Buffalo, 2016
  • MS, Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, 2009
  • BS, Industrial Biology, Guru Nanak Dev University, 2007

Awards & Honors

  • IDAgen Translational Therapeutics Award, June 2025
  • Top 100 Most Downloaded Microbiology Papers of 2024, Nature Scientific Reports
  • Outstanding Poster Award, ASM Microbe (2022)
  • Peggy Cotter Award for Early Career, ASM Microbe (2022)
  • Excellent Postdoctoral Poster Award, Rustbelt RNA Meeting (2020)
  • Gold Medal, Ranked 1st in MS Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University
  • Silver Medal, Ranked 2nd in BS Industrial Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University

Research Interests

Dr. Kaur’s research interests center on antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases, and improving treatment strategies for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, including pathogens recognized by the World Health Organization as major global health threats. Her work has focused on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with an emphasis on how these pathogens respond to therapy, develop resistance, and persist under drug pressure. She is especially interested in translational strategies, such as antimicrobial pharmacology, optimized combination therapy, and drug repurposing, that can enhance the effectiveness of existing and novel treatments against resistant infections.