James Andrew “Andy” Alspaugh, MD, has been appointed as the new chief for the Division of Infectious Diseases, effective December 9, 2024.
Dr. Alspaugh, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, also holds appointments as a Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and a Professor of Cell Biology. A graduate of the Duke School of Medicine, he has maintained a long-standing relationship with the institution, completing his Infectious Diseases fellowship at Duke before joining the Department of Medicine faculty in 1998. In 2019, Dr. Alspaugh was named vice chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Medicine, where he has made significant strides in improving the department’s Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure (APT) processes.
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Alspaugh’s research centers on the molecular pathogenesis of human fungal infections. He is deeply committed to mentoring future physicians and scientists in microbiology and infectious diseases, contributing to the clinical training of medical students, internal medicine residents, and infectious disease fellows. In his laboratory, he has served as the primary research mentor for numerous trainees, including nine PhD graduate students, five post-doctoral fellows, and many undergraduate and medical students. Many of his mentees have pursued successful careers in research, academia, pharma, and science education.
Dr. Alspaugh’s contributions extend across Duke School of Medicine and beyond. He directed the first-year Medical Microbiology course for eight years and co-directs the Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program, an NIH-supported initiative promoting innovative research in fungal biology and pathogenesis. Additionally, he served as the course director for the Marine Biological Laboratories’ international “Molecular Mycology” course for five years.
Dr. Alspaugh will continue his role as vice chair for Academic Affairs until a successor is identified. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the Division of Infectious Diseases and contribute to advancing its mission within the Department of Medicine.
The Department of Medicine extends special recognition to Dr. John Perfect, who has served as chief of the Infectious Diseases Division for 15 years. Dr. Perfect’s contributions as a world leader in clinical mycology and the molecular pathogenesis of cryptococcal infections have been transformative. He will continue his impactful work at Duke.