The Sears-Thomas Scholars Research Awards program was established in early 2026, in recognition of the remarkable contributions and enduring legacies of Cynthia Sears, M.D., and David Thomas, M.D.

Sears-Thomas Research Awards support faculty initiatives that embody the spirit of innovation and mentorship exemplified by Sears and Thomas, providing essential resources to enhance research, bridge salary gaps and ultimately further their indelible legacies. The program honors their dedication to medicine, research and education throughout their distinguished careers at The Johns Hopkins University. These esteemed faculty members have made significant advancements in the fields of infectious diseases and public health, and they have had profound impact on the lives of patients, students and colleagues, serving as inspiring mentors and leaders in their respective disciplines.

Cynthia Sears has made her mark as a leading expert in foodborne and intestinal infections, with a special focus on the contribution of the microbiota to colon carcinogenesis. Her work has had far-reaching implications, has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of gut health, and has influenced clinical practices globally. Her dedication to education and mentorship has shaped the next generation of medical professionals, reflecting her unwavering commitment to the advancement of health care. 

David Thomas, a prominent figure in internal medicine and infectious diseases, has dedicated his career to advancing the care of patients living with chronic viral hepatitis and HIV. His pioneering work in establishing the Viral Hepatitis Center at Johns Hopkins, coupled with his leadership of the Division of Infectious Diseases from 2006 to 2022, set a high standard in the medical community. Thomas’ commitment to translating medical research into tangible patient care and to guiding trainees and early-career faculty is exemplary.

We are pleased to announce this year’s award recipients.

Joel Blankson, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: T-cell responses to a novel influenza vaccine and overcoming the original antigenic sin

Christopher Hoffmann, M.D., M.Sc., M.P.H.
Title: Community roundtables to examine the experiences of people recently released from prison to improve HIV care and prevention in Maryland

Sara Keller, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.P.H.
Title: Developing a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) surveillance training kit for home infusion agencies

Sonya Krishnan, M.D., M.H.S.
Title: Risk factors for adverse events in Ultra-curto TB prevention trial

Johan Melendez, Ph.D.
Title: Examining the pharynx as an incubator for the transfer of resistance to ceftriaxone in Neisseria

Jessica Queen, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Assessing oral microbiome inoculation strategies in mouse models to assess gut colonization and biofilms to understand development of colon cancer

Maunank Shah, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Evaluation of PRISM (Precision Review and Interactive Simulation in Medicine), an AI-augmented educational platform for interactive AI-precepted case-based learning

Emily Kendall, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Predicting MRSA and ESBL infections in the health system to guide antibiotic stewardship efforts