|Videos|September 24, 2020

Texas State Scientist on Rabies Eradication, Campus Reopening, and AMR

Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, clinical laboratory scientist, discusses campus reopening as well as his work on rabies eradication.

Segment Description: Learn how campus reopenings are going at Texas State University, the surprising health burden of rabies globally, and more.

Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SV/SM/MB(ASCP)CM received his Bachelor of Science (microbiology) and Masters (Biology, emphasis in virology) degrees from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). Dr. Rohde received his PhD in Education in 2010 (Adult Professional Community Education) with a focus on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Dr. Rohde is the Program Chair for the CLS Program, and holds the rank of Professor in the College of Health Professions. He also serves as Associate Dean for Research for the College of Health Professions. Dr. Rohde is also a clinical assistant professor (joint appointment) at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Laboratory Sciences & Primary Care, Clinical Laboratory Science Program. Additionally, Dr. Rohde continues to enjoy being an adjunct associate professor of biology in the nursing program for Austin Community College. He holds certifications as a Specialist in Virology, Specialist in Microbiology, and Molecular Biologist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Rodney spent a decade as a public health microbiologist and molecular epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services Bureau of Laboratories and Zoonosis Control Division prior to his academic career. His research interests are very diverse but focus on adult education and public health microbiology, specifically with respect to rabies virology, oral rabies wildlife vaccination, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and molecular diagnostics/biotechnology. He has published numerous articles and has received a variety of grant support for his research. Dr. Rohde is a member in the prestigious Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity (AMTF) and was named a CLS Distinguished Author, along with his colleagues, in 2013. He received the 2007 ASCLS Scientific Research Award and again in 2014 for his work with MRSA and rabies, respectively.

[Bio Courtesy of Texas State University]


Related to this article

Ebola Outbreak Tops 10,000 Cases as CDC Cites Spread to Kenya, Nigeria
The CDC reports the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. As of October 28, the agency counted 10,305 total confirmed cases and 4,996 total confirmed deaths. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low, and no cases tied to this outbreak have been confirmed in the US.
Cefiderocol Continues to Show Activity Against Resistant Gram-Negative Infections
Shionogi data presented at IDWeek 2026 demonstrated a 76.7% clinical response with cefiderocol in carbapenem-resistant respiratory infections and high in vitro activity against resistant P aeruginosa VAP isolates. Christine Slover, PharmD, vice president, Infectious Diseases US Medical Affairs, Shionogi, offers insights on the data as well as clinical considerations for providers when weighing the antibiotic for patients.
Household Contacts Drive Most Hepatitis B Exposures in Young Children
Karen B. Jacobson, MD, MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, presented data at IDWeek 2026 showing 58.2% of children younger than five years exposed to active hepatitis B in the home were exposed by someone other than their birth mother, a risk maternal screening alone would miss under the CDC’s revised birth dose recommendation.
Inhaled Amikacin Shows Low Resistance Rates in MAC Lung Disease in ENCORE
In the phase 3b ENCORE trial, adding amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) to azithromycin and ethambutol significantly improved culture conversion in newly diagnosed MAC lung disease, while treatment-emergent amikacin (2.2%) and macrolide (1.1%) resistance stayed rare. Kevin Winthrop, MD, provides insights around the study.