David Trees, PhD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of STD Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, A-12
Atlanta, GA
USA 30333
Dlt1@cdc.gov

Biographical Sketch:
Employed at CDC from 1990 until present. Currently in the Division of STD Prevention. Majority of work involves the study of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Dr. Trees leads a team of scientists working on whole genome sequencing of antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. He and his team examine the presence and prevalence of mutations in the Neisseria gonorrhoeae gene sequences that contribute to antibiotic resistance. By pinpointing these mutations, and combinations of mutations, Dr. Trees hopes his team’s work can improve the diagnostic methods used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by creating molecular-based assays that can identify antibiotic-resistant strains more rapidly by detecting these mutations directly from patient samples without the need to culture the bacteria before analysis.