Dr. Jorge Vidal is an associate professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Vidal is also a member of the 1ASM Subcommittee on Microbiological Issues Impacting Minorities and the ASM Subcommittee on Minority Education. He studied medical laboratory science (Honors) at the University of Puebla, Mexico, and then obtained a master's degree (Honors) in microbiology (2001, “Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas”) and a Ph.D. in cellular microbiology (2006, Center for Research and Advanced  Studies), both from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in Mexico City, after which he moved to the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine. There he conducted post-doctoral research in bacterial genetics (2006-09) in the laboratory of Professor Bruce A. McClane. Vidal was recruited as an assistant professor at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Sept. 2009 by Keith P. Klugman and promoted to associate professor. Vidal was later recruited by Larry McDaniel to the UMMC Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where he currently has his research laboratory. His research programs and academic activities have been generously funded through grants from the NIH, BMGF, Pfizer, Cempra pharmaceuticals, Melinta Pharmaceuticals, Nabriva Pharmaceuticals, NIH-sponsored ACTSI and others.