Reaching Across the Globe

Welcome to the UTMB Center for Tropical Diseases. I invite you to browse through our web pages and hope you will be challenged and encouraged by what you see.

Founded in 1994 through the vision and leadership of Dr. David Walker, former Chair of Pathology at UTMB, the CTD has grown into a thriving center with over 80 affiliated faculty and a vast network of international collaborators.

At its core, the Center for Tropical Diseases is about people—dedicated researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals committed to advancing the fight against tropical diseases through research, education, and service. We are devoted to the countless individuals and communities who stand to benefit from these efforts. With a team of experts committed to tackling diseases that disproportionately affect the tropics and resource-limited areas, we strive to bring knowledge, innovation, and compassion to those who need it most.


Peter C. Melby, MD
Director, Center for Tropical Diseases
Director, Division of Infectious Diseases
Professor, Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology