John J. Lowe, PhD
Anne M. Hubbard Chair, UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health
Director, UNMC Global Center for Health Security
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Security Training and Education, UNMC Academic Affairs
John J. Lowe Ph.D., is the Chair and a Professor for the Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He also holds key institutional leadership roles as the Director of the Global Center for Health Security and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Security Training and Education at UNMC.
Dr. Lowe is recognized for his expertise in infection prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases and special pathogens, including COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever, and Influenza.
- 2012, PhD Medical Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- 2009, MS Molecular Virology, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
- 2006, BS Biological Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
With a background in molecular virology, industrial hygiene, and environmental exposure assessment, Dr. Lowe’s research focuses on exposure assessment and characterizing disease transmission to develop strategies to disrupt the transmission of infectious diseases. His contributions to the scientific community include numerous peer-reviewed publications that have advanced understanding in these critical areas.
Dr. Lowe plays a pivotal role in leading the National Quarantine Unit and Nebraska Biocontainment Unit including related initiatives to combat COVID-19, focusing on transmission dynamics and improving prevention strategies across various sectors, including healthcare, long-term care, and the meatpacking industry. He serves as the primary investigator for national training centers and international biosurveillance networks and has been instrumental in shaping national guidelines, policies, and best practices for managing highly infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola.
He has led research initiatives with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies focused on optimizing high-level isolation systems, underscoring his commitment to global health security and the prevention of infectious disease transmission.His specific areas of expertise include patient transportation, waste handling and disposal, patient discharge, management of patient remains, and the proper use of personal protective equipment, including donning, doffing, and decontamination procedures. Dr. Lowe also holds leadership roles in several key organizations and centers, such as the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center and the National Health Security Training Center.
- Santarpia JL, Rivera DN, Herrera VL, Morwitzer MJ, Creager HM, Santarpia GW, Crown KK, Brett-Major DM, Schnaubelt ER, Broadhurst MJ, Lawler JV., Reid SP., Lowe JJ. Aerosol and surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 observed in quarantine and isolation care. Sci Rep 2020 10, 12732.
- Aziz S, Arabi YM, Alhazzani W, Evans L, Citerio G, Fischkoff K, Salluh J, Meyfroidt G, Alshamsi F, Oczkowski S, Azoulay E, Price A, Burry L, Dzierba A, Benintende A, Morgan J, Grasselli G, Rhodes A, Moller MH, Chu L, Schwedhelm S, Lowe JJ, Bin D, Christian MD. Managing ICU surge during the COVID-19 crisis: rapid guidelines. Intensive Care Med. 2020 Jul;46(7):1303-1325. doi: 10.1007/s00134-020-06092-5. Epub 2020 Jun 8.
- +Herstein, J.J., Biddinger, P.D., Gibbs, S.G., Le, A.B., Jelden, K.C., Hewlett, A., Lowe, J.J. Sustainability of High-Level Isolation Capabilities among U.S. Ebola Treatment Centers. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2017 23(6): 965-967.
- +Jelden K.C., Gibbs S.G., Smith, P.W., Hewlett A.L., Iwen P.C., Schmid K.K., Lowe J.J. Comparison of hospital room surface disinfection using a novel ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) generator. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2016 Sep;13(9):690-8. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2016.1166369
- BenDarif E., Khalil A., Rayes A., Bennour E., Dhawi A., Lowe J.J., Gibbs S.G., Goering R.V. Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated at Tripoli Medical Center, Libya, between 2008 and 2014. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2016 65(12):1472-5.
- American Public Health Association
- American Society of Microbiology
- Public Health Association of Nebraska