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Research Spotlight

Treating melanoma; Lyme disease study; time for a geriatrician: Upstate’s ‘HealthLink on Air’ for Aug. 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

Hematologist/oncologist Jade Homsi, MD, discusses how melanoma is diagnosed and the treatment options for this dangerous skin cancer. Researcher Kristopher Paolino, MD, tells about the study underway that tests a treatment strategy for people with chronic Lyme disease. Geriatrician Sharon Brangman, MD, explains when someone may need to seek care from a geriatrics expert.

Tips to reduce the risk of tick-borne infection

May 30, 2025

Not Just Lyme: Two other tick-borne illnesses quickly spreading in CNY

May 14, 2025

It’s not just Lyme Disease you have to watch out for. Two other tick-borne illnesses are quickly spreading in Central New York, and there’s a good chance you’ve never heard their names.

Dr. Thomas gives an update on COVID, flu, RSV

December 18, 2024

Dr. Stephen Thomas on different illnesses as we approach winter

November 21, 2024

Global Grand Challenges network announces 59 innovators tackling climate change’s impact on health, agriculture, and gender equality

October 29, 2024

Today, the Global Grand Challenges (GC) network, a family of global partners fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems, is announcing a group of 59 grant recipients who are developing ground-breaking solutions to address the impacts of climate change on health, agriculture, and gender equality in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Sen. Schumer gives nod to Upstate’s vector-borne disease research in pushing for greater remedies to disease-carrying mosquitoes

October 4, 2024

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, using the site of Upstate’s Vector Biocontainment Laboratory at the Institute of Human Performance on Tuesday, said pushed to surge funding for the CDC’s Vector-Borne Diseases programs, which includes EEEV and West Nile, with $65 million in new funding to stem the threat to communities from mosquito populations that spread disease.

Dosing initiated in Phase 2a trial

October 2, 2024

We are pleased to share that all subjects in the prophylactic arm of the Phase 2a/b PROTECT clinical trial have received their initial dose of ISLA-101. They will be administered an attenuated strain of dengue fever on 4 October 2024, and we are just weeks away from understanding the potential impact of our drug ISLA-101 on dengue fever.

Island secures $3.5m in funding

Island has received firm commitments for a two-tranche Placement of A$3.5m at A$0.07 per new share, with one new option attached with every new share issued.

Island Pharmaceuticals Major Milestones: Subjects Dosed in Dengue Trial & $3.5M Placement

Professor Stephen Thomas discusses the challenges and opportunities with dengue research

Dr. Stephen Thomas on when you should get the COVID-19 vaccine

September 5, 2024

Upstate seeks participants for study on new Lyme test

August 26, 2024

Upstate Medical University is looking for participants for a research study on a new blood test that may detect Lyme disease sooner.

Upstate Medical University hosts conference to develop plans to end dengue fever

August 9, 2024

Dengue cases highest on record, but the disease poses little risk to CNYers

August 7, 2024

Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Summit

July 31, 2024

The Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Alliance is hosting its third annual Lyme Summit on September 19 & 20 at the CNY Biotech Accelerator in Syracuse, NY. This year we expect an audience of 100-150 healthcare providers from across the region.

Bird Flu Concerns

July 24, 2024

Bird flu is a concern mostly for people who work around poultry, says  Stephen Thomas, MD, director of the Upstate Global Health Institute. A few cases of bird flu have appeared in humans. He urges vigilance about health and goes over the common symptoms, which include eye redness.

CDC warns of increased dengue fever risk in U.S.

June 25, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned clinicians, health authorities and the public Tuesday about an increased risk for dengue virus infections in the United States because of the record-breaking global incidence of the mosquito-borne viral disease.

Infectious disease expert reflects on 50-year career

June 20, 2024

Donald Blair, MD, a professor of medicine specializing in infectious disease, is celebrating 50 years at Upstate. At the start of his career, he saw patients in Ethiopia with some of the world's last cases of smallpox. Later, he learned in real time about the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. Currently, he has concerns about how deadly bird flu could be if it spreads to more humans. Blair also reflects on how his medical specialty has changed over five decades.

SUNY Research Spotlight – Saravanan Thangamani, PhD – Upstate Medical University

April 25, 2024

Upstate Medical University's Saravanan Thangamani, PhD, is finding new ways to prevent disease transmission from mosquitos and ticks.

The Second Annual Dengue Endgame Summit – Aug. 7-9, 2024

March 8, 2024

This exclusive event will focus on recent advancements and challenges in dengue research, including virology, immunology, epidemiology, and countermeasure development.

Local teens testing pediatric Lyme disease vaccine

February 22, 2024

Upstate Medical University researcher Mark Miller and his family live in a wooded area where they like to hike with their dog-making them a prime target for ticks.

Global Health Institute opens new location off campus

February 20, 2024

Upstate’s Global Health Institute has moved most of its operations off campus to a 13,000-square-foot space in an East Syracuse office park.

The CDC could soon change COVID-19 isolation guidance: The potential impact in CNY

February 14, 2024

The CDC could soon change the guidelines for COVID-19 isolation, raising some eyebrows for local medical experts.

Interview with Upstate Global Health Director Dr. Stephen Thomas on respiratory illness

February 7, 2024

COVID-19 cases near last year’s peak in CNY following holiday season

January 4, 2024

COVID-19 cases are rising across the country; the same can be said here in Central New York. Doctors warned of a spread of COVID-19 cases following holiday gatherings, and the numbers are starting to reflect that.

Dr. Stephen Thomas on leadership: ‘It’s helping people discover their courage’ to do great things

August 15, 2023

Dr. Stephen Thomas, then the division chief of infectious disease at SUNY Upstate Medical University, became a household name in Central New York when Covid-19 was declared a global outbreak in March 2020.

Upstate to host conference on combating mosquito-borne illness

July 4, 2023

Upstate Medical University's Institute for Global Health and Translational Sciences will host a summit in August dealing with dengue, a serious mosquito-borne illness.

Dr. Kristopher Paolino on National Public Radio discussing Lyme disease and the Clinical Trial for ages 12-17

May 18, 2023

Check out another important conversation with Dr. Paolino from SUNY Upstate Medical.

Dr. Kristopher Paolino discusses Lyme Vaccine Trial ages 12-17 on Local News!

Something to learn more about and make a difference.

Check out Dr. Stephen Thomas on News Channel 9!!

May 12, 2023

Watch and Listen as Dr. Stephen Thomas discusses COVID-19 and the Lyme Vaccine Trial that SUNY Upstate Global Health is doing for ages 12-17.

Teens sought out for Lyme Vaccine Study

April 26, 2023

Kids and teens can help test a vaccine against Lyme disease that is being studied in a clinical trial in Syracuse. Kristopher Paolino, MD, leads that study and explains how it will be conducted. He’s an assistant professor of medicine and of microbiology and immunology at Upstate, and he specializes in Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Upstate seeking participants for a pediatric Lyme disease vaccine clinical trial

April 19, 2023

Look at this article from Upstate Online

Upstate Medical seeking 100 teens to participate in Lyme disease vaccine clinical trial

Check out this article from Syracuse.com

Warmer weather means ticks are back: How to prevent getting bit this spring

April 18, 2023

Check out Dr. Stephen Thomas discussing Lyme Disease on News Channel 9

SUNY Upstate Physician and Scientist Dr. Stephen Thomas to Give Le Moyne Graduate Commencement Address

Stephen J. Thomas, M.D., an infectious diseases physician and researcher who serves as a professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, will be the speaker at Le Moyne’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Event Center.

Check out the Latest Podcast from SUNY Upstate’s Health Link on the Air

January 24, 2023

Microbiologist and researcher Saravanan Thangamani, PhD, explains the dangers of ticks that carry multiple disease-causing agents.

Upstate will launch a Multidisciplinary Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Treatment Center

January 10, 2023

Upstate Medical University will launch a Multidisciplinary Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Treatment Center, thanks to a federal grant secured by Upstate’s federal delegation, U.S. Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand and Rep Katko.

Story-time with Santa

December 12, 2022

Dr. Stephen Thomas reads "Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas" by James Dean and Kimberly Dean. From all of us at the Institute for Global Health and Translational Science we hope you have a safe, joyous and great holiday season.

Two Upstate physicians honored with Excellence in Healthcare Awards

October 20, 2022

Upstate Medical University physicians Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, and Kristopher Paolino, MD, have been selected as winners of the 2022 Excellence in Healthcare Awards.

What medical trials accomplish, and how to volunteer for one

October 17, 2022

Clinical trials -- involving human subjects -- can lead to advances in medicine. Explaining how these multi-stage tests work is Stephen Thomas, MD, who has run a variety of clinical trials, including some that are ongoing, such as one for a dengue fever vaccine. He is a professor of microbiology and immunology and infectious disease, and he also leads Upstate’s Institute for Global Health and Translational Science.