Matt is Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Burian Endowed Chair in the Center for Predictive Medicine for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biodefense at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He is also Director of Graduate Studies for the Program in Microbiology and Immunology.

Matt received his PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, studying antigenic variation and immune evasion by the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi in the lab of Steve Norris. He then completed postdoctoral training in Virginia Miller’s lab at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of North Carolina, identifying and studying the regulation of virulence factors in Yersinia. His goal is to provide a supportive environment for trainees to achieve their long-term career goals. Off campus, Matt enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring other cultures through food and travel.

Research in the Lawrenz Lab is currently supported by:

• NIH/NIAID R01AI195730: Yersinia pestis modulation of host extracellular vesicles

• NIH/NIAID R01AI148241: Iron independent role for yersiniabactin in Yersinia pestis

• NIH/NIAID R01AI178106: Impact of inflammatory lipids on Yersinia pestis

• The Revive & Restore Catalyst Science Fund: Identifying plague resistance factors in ferrets

• Philanthropic funding from the Jewish Heritage Fund, the William Marvin Petty, MD Research Fund, and the Frank J. and Henrietta S. Burian Endowed Chair Fund

Past funding includes:

• NIH/NIAID R21AI169423: Exosome production in response to Yersinia pestis

• NIH/NIGMS P20GM125504-S2: Functional microbiota, inflammation and pathogenesis COBRE