Marilynn A. Larson, PhD

Marilynn A. Larson, PhD, is a molecular microbiologist specializing in characterizing select agent pathogens. She is an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, and also is on the faculty of the UNMC Immunology, Pathology and Infectious Disease Graduate Program.

Dr. Larson  is a fellow in the National Strategic Research Institute of Nebraska. 

As laboratory director of the UNMC Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Dr. Larson oversees all aspects of this secure resource to ensure the biosafety of authorized individuals. She also provides guidance on select agent procedures and regulatory compliance matters required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and assists with biological select agent and toxin associated projects for the Department of Defense. She is a member of the High Containment Working Group and Biosafety and Incident Command Committee.

She educates other individuals on various aspects of translational and mechanistic research for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including the evaluation of compounds with drug-like physicochemical properties, the characterization of bacteriophages, the assessment of multivalent subunit vaccines, the development of accurate identification methods for select agents, and the complete assembly and evaluation of genomes, one of which resulted in the reclassification of Wolbachia persica to Francisella persica.

Dr. Larson’s current research is focused on determining the molecular mechanisms that allow the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis to persist, rapidly replicate, and then promote apoptosis in infected host cells, further spreading the infection of this hypervirulent Tier 1 select agent that is fatal if not promptly treated.