Valerie E. Cadet, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at PCOM Georgia in Suwanee. In addition, she serves as the Director of Health Equity Curricular Initiatives for the PCOM osteopathic medicine programs.
She teaches biomedical science and osteopathic medicine students about virology, emerging infections, animal to human infections, vaccines, the immune system and general and infectious disease epidemiology.
Dr. Cadet earned a doctorate degree in infectious diseases from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focused on the immune system, vaccines and viruses, specifically poxviruses, influenza, RSV, coronaviruses and other respiratory viruses.
Techniques she utilized include viral genome-wide RNA interference, small molecule library screening, and mouse models to examine the modulation of poxvirus replication and gene expression. Additionally, through assessment of immune responses to potential therapeutic interventions, she identified and validated vaccine targets.
Dr. Cadet has furthered her virology and vaccine expertise by co-leading PCOM Georgia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Education Project. In addition, she has published a paper about the use of poxviruses in cancer therapy, while maintaining collaborations with vaccine and virus researchers.
Dr. Cadet’s current research interests are in assessing interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy among both the general public and healthcare providers, as well as in exploring the role of hygiene and other factors in COVID-19 infection and mortality rates globally.
