Alyssa Ann La Bella

This study identifies the Efg1 regulon active in C. albicans during growth in human urine, validates its clinical relevance in catheter samples, and characterizes key downstream factors involved in fungal CAUTI.

This study shows that liquid-infused silicone catheters reduce C. auris fungal burden, systemic spread, and inflammation in bladder infections.

This study identifies loss-of-function mutations in RBA1 as a convergent adaptation in C. auris that enhances its ability to adhere, form biofilms, and cause infections.

This study shows that fibrin accumulation in a catheterized bladder promotes anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, which impairs antimicrobial responses and allows bacterial persistence in UTIs.