Daniel Hoft, MD, PhD

Dr. Hoft has conducted immunology, microbiology and vaccinology research for 3 decades. He became interested in infectious diseases while serving in the Peace Corps. He received his MD from the University of Missouri and completed his IM Residency, ID Fellowship, and PhD in Microbiology/Immunology at the University of Iowa. He joined the Saint Louis University (SLU) faculty in 1992 and is currently Director of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Immunology. Since 2014, Dr. Hoft has been Principal Investigator for the SLU VTEU and developed omic capabilities for the VTEU network. Areas of expertise include the mechanisms of mucosal and systemic immunity protective against the intracellular pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Dr. Hoft’s major VTEU projects include developing a BCG human challenge model, a first-in-human study with chimeric HA influenza antigens, Zika epitope mapping and vaccine trials, a M2SR LAIV vaccine for influenza, and urgent yellow fever and H7 bird flu trials. Dr. Hoft also developed an inpatient unit for human challenge studies under airborne containment and participated in the first VTEU-funded human influenza challenge trial. He has received numerous awards from NIH, DoD, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is a regular advisor to the WHO.