Biography:
Matt Barber is an academic expert in infectious disease, antibiotic resistance and the evolution of immune defenses. His research examines how animals evolve defenses against infectious microbes and how pathogens, particularly bacteria, evolve in response to those defenses. His lab focuses on the genetics and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as the evolution of primate and human immunity. His work provides insight into antibiotic resistance, bacterial infections and the evolutionary forces shaping both pathogens and immune systems.
Recent Media:
- Oregon scientists pit fungus against bacteria in the battle against antibiotic resistance (Oregon Public Broadcasting, July 22, 2025)