Trained as molecular microbiologist and a recipient of young investigator award her research is focused on host-response to polymicrobial infections in skin and epithelia. She has extensive research experience in molecular and cell biology of wound healing and is recent recipient of the Pilot grant to study regulation of epidermal microRNAs by Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and is co- investigator on another funded project to study host response to diabetic foot ulcer microbiome. Dr. Irena Pastar was an invited speaker and wound infection session chair at the Wound Healing Society Meeting. Dr. Pastar provides academic leadership for the Departmental monthly research conference.