TAMEST Profile: TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference Science Co-Chair Jean L. Patterson, Ph.D., Texas Biomedical Research Institute

Jean L. Patterson, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), serves as Science Co-Chair of the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference. A trailblazer in the field of infectious diseases, Dr. Patterson has dedicated her career to understanding and combating some of the world’s most dangerous emerging pathogens.

Her research journey spans continents and leading institutions – from early training in biochemistry at Miami University and the University of Notre Dame, to faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, and eventually to scientific leadership at Texas Biomed. Dr. Patterson is widely recognized for her pivotal role in establishing Texas Biomed’s High Containment Laboratory, one of the few Biosafety Level 4 labs in the country, and the only privately-owned one in the nation. The facility has enabled groundbreaking research on hemorrhagic fever, Zika, Ebola and other high-risk pathogens.

Throughout her career, Dr. Patterson has been committed to scientific preparedness, interdisciplinary collaboration and the mentorship of emerging infectious disease researchers. As the Science Co-Chair of the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference: Pioneering Climate Innovations, she brings her global perspective and understanding of Texas to help shape the conference program, which will include sessions on preparing for outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases. The TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference will take place February 2-4, 2026, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

TAMEST connected with Dr. Patterson to explore her impactful career in infectious disease research, her dedication to mentoring the next generation and her vision for the upcoming conference.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work.

My work in emerging viruses began during my second postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Geneva Medical School in Switzerland. I was originally trained as a biochemist, completing graduate school and my first postdoc in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

From there, I transitioned into molecular biology, which led to my introduction to virology. I later held a faculty position in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School, where I focused primarily on pediatric viruses.

Eventually, I accepted the position of Chair of Virology and Immunology at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), where I focused on building a department dedicated to emerging viruses – particularly those requiring high-containment laboratory environments.

Your research at Texas Biomed has long focused on emerging infectious diseases – how has your work evolved in response to recent global health challenges?

While the specific diseases we study may change, the core of our work has remained consistent.

Our focus continues to be on developing new treatments, vaccines and surveillance in whatever capacity we have at the time. Certainly, as political winds change, we have to respond to these issues, but we try and stay focused on our three main objectives.

How has your experience at Texas Biomed informed your understanding of pandemic preparedness and the role of biomedical research in public health?

Since we opened our Maximum Containment Laboratory, the nation’s only privately owned biosafety level four (BSL4) maximum containment laboratory, Texas Biomed has been involved in many of the worldwide outbreaks and pandemics. It allows Institute scientists to safely study pathogens for which there currently is no known treatment or vaccine.

Because we are a small institution, and because of our commitment to being responsive to all outbreaks, we have been able to pivot quickly when emerging threats have appeared.

You’ve had a distinguished career as both a scientist and a research leader. What advice do you give to the up-and-coming infectious disease researchers you are mentoring at Texas Biomed?

In mentoring the next generation of scientists at Texas Biomed, I emphasize the importance of asking the right questions – those that get to the heart of each unique outbreak. Every emerging threat requires a tailored approach, guided by the most pressing scientific questions and supported by the best technology available.

It’s not enough to simply apply the same tools or methods used in previous outbreaks. Effective research demands that we assess each new threat on its own terms and respond with strategies that directly address its most critical challenges.

As the Science Co-Chair of the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference: Pioneering Climate Innovations, what related science themes or goals are you hoping to emphasize?

As the Science Co-Chair I am trying to address the scientific themes that are not only the most relevant to a worldwide audience but to Texas in particular.

For that reason, I wanted a speaker on bird flu. Avian influenza is a serious worldwide problem for both animal and human populations; it is also a very serious problem for cattle in Texas.

How are you working to make the 2026 conference interdisciplinary, and what kinds of cross-sector dialogue are you hoping to foster?

The speakers at the Science session are leaders not only in bird flu but climatology and pandemic preparedness as well. By bringing together leaders from these diverse fields, we aim to spark conversations that not only address known threats but also emphasize the critical importance of preparing for the unknown.

What are you most excited about for this conference?

This is my first TAMEST conference, and I am looking forward to the different sessions that approach all areas of science and technology.

I am excited and humbled that I was asked to participate and hope to learn as much as possible about the role TAMEST plays in promoting science and technology.

What do you hope attendees will take away from this year’s conference – both scientifically and in terms of broader collaboration or impact?

I hope that attendees will take away from this conference the knowledge that the United States, and particularly Texas, are at the forefront our modern challenges.

Why do you live and work in Texas?

I live and work in Texas because Texas Biomed provided me with the facility and commitment to work on emerging viruses with all the necessary resources.