Alan J. Lesse MD

Alan Lesse

Alan J. Lesse
MD

Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education; Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Infectious Disease; Microbial Pathogenesis

Contact Information
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
955 Main Street, Room 7165
Buffalo, New York 14203-1121
Phone: (716) 829-3467
camlesse@buffalo.edu
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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

My clinical interest work focuses on infectious diseases, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. I practice medicine and infectious diseases at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The service here treats veterans with a wide variety of infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C. I attend on the inpatient service. Medical students, residents, and fellows evaluate and follow infectious disease consultations with me on the inpatient service.

I am also an Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum at the Jacobs School and I teach extensively in the Medical School. I also serve as Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine. I enjoy working with students throughout the full spectrum of medical education, from first-year medical students to senior fellows in Infectious Disease.

My research interests dovetail with my clinical work. I currently do mainly bioinformatics projects on the large VA database with an emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic. I previously studied Staphylococcal infections, particularly complications related to S. aureus bloodstream infections. That work made use of bioinformatics and database design, techniques that support my ongoing collaborations with other investigators on bioinformatics problems, particularly with Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.

Prior to my studies in S. aureus, I conducted research on a fascinating pathogen, H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius and Brazilian Purpuric Fever. Over that 10-year period my laboratory identified a unique epitope on a surface proteins associated with the disease. We were able to create the only isogenic mutant so far described with this pathogen that is highly refractory to genetic manipulation.

Education and Training:
  • Fellowship, Research Fellowship in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginina (1987)
  • Fellowship, Clinical Fellowship in Infectious Disease, University of Virginia Affiliated Program (1985)
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, Temple University (1984)
  • MD, University of Virginia (1981)
  • BA, University of Virginia (1977)

Employment:
  • Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2022-present)
  • Vice Chair for Education, Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2012-present)
  • Associate Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicine, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1994-present)
  • Senior Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2015–2022)
  • Chief, Infectious Disease, VA Western NY Healthcare System (2009–2018)
  • Acting Associate Chief of Staff, Research, VA Western New York Healthcare System (2010)
  • Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicine, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1987–1994)
  • Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia School of Medicine (1985–1987)
  • Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals Program (1984–1985)
  • Medical Resident, Department of Medicine, Temple University (1982–1984)
  • Medical Intern, Department of Medicine, Temple University (1981–1982)
See all (1 more)

Awards and Honors:
  • Dean's Award (2019)
  • Steven H. Noyes, MD, House Staff Teaching Award (2015)
  • Faculty AOA (2015)
  • 2014 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (2014)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (2012)
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Pharmacology (2011)
  • Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2010)
  • Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2005)
  • Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2001)
  • White Coat Award, Resident Teaching Award in Medicine (1999)
  • Recipient of Recognition Award from the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (1999)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1998)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1997)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1995)
  • Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (1993)
  • Recipient of the Pre-Clinical Teaching Award, Siegel Committee for Teaching (1992)
  • Recipient of the first F. Carter Pannill Housestaff Teaching Award (1991)
  • Recipient of the Pre-Clinical Teaching Award, Siegel Committee for Teaching (1990)
  • Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1989)

Research Expertise:
  • Bioinformatics
  • Infections with Staphylococcus aureus: I have both a research and clinical interest in infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. My clinical interest involves blood stream infections and community-associated MRSA infections. My research interests center on the clinical and molecular epidemiology of blood stream isolates, including whole genomic sequencing and the bioinformatic approach to analyzing virulence factors.
  • Infectious Diseases

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • August 2015–September 2017
    BIG DATA SCIENTIST TRAINING ENCHANCEMENT PROGRAM (BD-STEP)-BD-STEP
    VA and National Cancer Institute
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $60,000
  • September 2014–November 2015
    VA HSR&D Grant Title: Gown and Glove Use to Prevent the Spread of Infection in VA Community Living Centers
    VA HSR&D
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $72,000
  • January 2007–December 2012
    Pathogenesis of Haemophilus influenzae Infections in COPD
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,225,125
  • January 1987–June 2012
    Development of a vaccine for Moraxella catarrhalis (RO1AI28304)Pathogenesis of Moraxella catarrhalis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2R56AI1028304)
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,250,000
  • June 2007–December 2010
    A Population-Based Study of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia In Western New York
    Oishei Foundation
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $690,500
  • September 2002–August 2007
    Development of a vaccine for H. influenzae
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,200,000
  • October 1996–September 2000
    Virulence Factors of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius
    Veterans Administration Merit Review
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $160,400
  • April 1994–March 1996
    Virulence Factors of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius
    Veterans Administration Merit Review
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $174,100
  • July 1987–March 1988
    Pathogenesis of Bacterial Meningitis, Basic Science Research Group
    Basic Science Research Group, SUNY Buffalo
    Role: Principal Investigator

Patents:
  • Vaccine Antigens for Moraxella catarrhalis Method for stimulating immune response against Moraxella catarrhalis (2010)

Journal Articles:

See all (71 more)

Abstracts:

  • Parameswaran GI, Sethi S, Willet A., Lesse AJ. (2013) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in COPD. ATS International Conference, Philadephia, PA, (May)
  • Berim I.G., Lesse AJ, Eberhardt E., Grove L.J., Wrona C., Murphy TF, Sethi S. (2011) New Strain Acquisition Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Not Associated With Exacerbations. ATS International Conference, Denver, CO, (May)

Professional Memberships:
  • Medical Education Senior Leadership; AAMC Group (2019–present)
  • Infectious Disease Society of America; Fellow (1990–present)

Presentations:
  • "Monkeypox: Yet another emerging infectious disease!?" Medical Grand Rounds, Mercy Hospital (2022)
  • "The COVID 19 Pandemic: A Magnifying Lens for Health Disparities" Igniting Hope Conference (2020)

Service Activities:
  • Member of LCME site visit team; LCME Site Visit Reviewer (2023)
  • Search Committee for Dean of the School of Management; Member (2022)
  • Chair of Chief of General Medicine Search Committee; Chair of Chief of General Medicine Search Committee (2022)
  • Community meetings, radio appearances, conference talks; Community Expert on COVD-19 and other Infectious Diseases (2022)
  • Several; Reviewer (2022)
  • UB Scholarly Day; Reviewer (2022)
  • Vice Chair for Education; Vice Chair for Education (2022)
  • Teaching Competency Committee; Member (2022)
  • LCME Accreditation Site Review Team Member; Site Reviewer (2022)
  • Participated in the Dean's ad hoc DIALE Committee to answer student concerns from petition for change; Member of Dean's Special Antiracism Taskforce of the DIALE Committee (2020–2021)
  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Learning Environment Committee (DIALE); Member (2020–present)
  • DIALE Committee Anti-racist Curriculum Taskforce; Co-chair (2017–present)
  • Curriculum Committee; Co-Chair Curriculum Committee (2016–present)
  • SMBS Phase II Committee; Member (2015–present)
  • SMBS Phase 1 Committee; Member (2012–present)
  • VHAW WNY Institutional Review Board VA IRB; Member (2011–2015)
  • Student Progress Committee; Member (2009–2015)
  • SMBS Curriculum Committee; Member (2009–present)
  • Promoting DEI efforts and efforts to combat structural racism in both medical education and the practice of medicine; African American Health Equity Taskforce Member
  • Member of Medical Education Senior Leadership Group of the AAMC; Member
  • Strategic Plan for the School of Medicine; Member

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Contact Information

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
955 Main Street, Room 7165
Buffalo, New York 14203-1121
Phone: (716) 829-3467
camlesse@buffalo.edu
View map

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