New Flu Vaccine
August 7, 2026
Dr. Stephen Thomas, Upstate Global Health Institute Director, talks new flu vaccine. Read More
Research Spotlight
How to protect chickens — and yourself — from avian flu
July 2, 2026
Elizabeth Asiago-Reddy, MD, discusses ways to protect yourself and your flock of chickens, and why bird flu is such a concern. Read More
Upstate enrolling seniors in landmark C. diff vaccine study
Dr Stephen Thomas named interim vice president for research
June 26, 2026
Stephen Thomas, MD, the Frank E. Young, MD, and Leanne Young Endowed Chair of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Global Health Institute, has been named interim vice president for research. Read More
Upstate helps lead global trial that could change heart failure care
June 18, 2026
Upstate Medical University has enrolled the first patient in a landmark international clinical trial that could reshape treatment for heart failure patients with cardiomyopathy and electrical conduction issues Read More
Six Honored with Gold Standard Awards
April 27, 2026
Upstate Medical University has selected six faculty members as Gold Standard Award winners. The awards recognize individuals for “work exemplifying the missions of Upstate, with particular emphasis on professionalism, work ethic and character.” Read More
Human Challenge Models: A New Gold Standard?
April 20, 2026
Dr. Stephen Thomas examines the evolving role of human challenge models in vaccine development, debating whether they represent a new gold standard for establishing efficacy and safety at the World Vaccine Congress Washington 2026. Read More
Pfizer and Valneva Announce Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Strong Efficacy in Phase 3 VALOR Trial
March 25, 2026
There are currently no approved human vaccines for Lyme disease, and PF-07307405 is the Lyme disease vaccine candidate which has currently advanced the furthest along the clinical development timeline, with two pivotal Phase 3 trials completed. Read More
Upstate first in New York outside NYC to offer advanced atrial fibrillation ablation technology
March 16, 2026
Upstate Medical University is now offering a new technology for atrial fibrillation ablations and is the only hospital in New York state outside of New York City to offer it. Read More
Interview: Dr. Stephen Thomas, Upstate Global Health Institute Director, on the latest on vaccines and contagion
February 25, 2026
Fear of falling; vaccine test seeks volunteers; living-donor transplants increase
February 24, 2026
Physical therapist Molly Torbitt, DPT, PhD, discusses the fear of falling. Upstate Global Health Institute Director Stephen Thomas, MD, tells about a clinical trial underway of a vaccine to prevent C. diff, one of the world's most common health care-associated infections. Transplant surgeon Reza Saidi, MD, director of Upstate's Kidney Transplant Program, tells how and why the percentage of living-donor kidney transplants has increased. Read More
Vaccine trial seeks to prevent a common, sometimes deadly, infection
January 27, 2026
Upstate is conducting a clinical trial of a vaccine to prevent an infection often found in hospitals and nursing homes, C. diff (Clostridioides difficile). Stephen Thomas, MD, explains how the study is being conducted, why it's important, and how people can volunteer to participate. Read More
Upstate recruiting over 1,000 seniors for Clostridioides Difficile vaccine study
January 23, 2026
The Upstate Global Health Institute is looking for over 1,000 Central New Yorkers to participate in its largest clinical trial, testing a possible vaccine to prevent “C. diff.” Read More
SUNY Upstate seeks small army of volunteers for vaccine study against common, deadly infection
January 22, 2026
Upstate Medical University is looking for 1,000 volunteers to test a vaccine against a deadly infection that primarily afflicts people in healthcare settings. Read More
Upstate joins largest-ever clinical trial to prevent C. diff
January 15, 2026
Upstate Medical University’s Global Health Institute is participating in a worldwide Pfizer-led effort to research an investigational vaccine to prevent C. diff infection, one of the most common healthcare associated infections worldwide. Read More
Flu, COVID, measles, vaccine trial updates from Upstate Global Health; What are the current trends in CNY?
November 21, 2025
Upstate Global Health Director Dr. Stephen Thomas spoke with NewsChannel 9 about the current trends and concerns related to the flu, COVID, and more in Central New York. Read More
COVID vaccination: An expert discusses what to consider
September 4, 2025
New COVID vaccine recommendations and how the coronavirus continues to evolve are discussed by Stephen Thomas, MD. Read More
Syracuse’s renowned Covid expert: Millions may lose access to vaccine after FDA decision
September 3, 2025
Six Upstate Medical University faculty members have been named SUNY Distinguished Professors, the highest faculty rank in the SUNY system
September 2, 2025
Dr. Stephen Thomas, MD, is the Frank E. Young, MD, and Leanne Young Endowed Chair of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Global Health Institute at Upstate Medical University. An expert in infectious diseases and vaccine development, he is recognized globally for his leadership, research, and mentorship. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
Island Pharmaceuticals Major Milestones: Subjects Dosed in Dengue Trial & $3.5M Placement
Professor Stephen Thomas discusses the challenges and opportunities with dengue research
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More