Researcher Spotlight: Nicholas Maurice

What is your professional background?
I received my M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where I completed the Physician Scientist Training Program and was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medical Research Fellow. I completed internal medicine residency training at the University of Michigan and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. I am currently an assistant professor at Emory and a full-time staff physician at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. My primary mentor is Dr. Ruxana Sadikot and I receive additional mentorship from Drs. Michael Hart, Philip Rather, and David Guidot.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research focuses on the interplay between bacterial and host factors in hospital- and community-acquired pneumonia caused by the pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae. I am seeking to identify bacterial factors that contribute to virulence through modulation of host mitochondrial biology and elucidate host mitochondrial pathways that contribute to the innate immune response to infection. Since mitochondrial damage is known to propagate inflammatory signals that can worsen tissue injury, I am investigating if therapeutic strategies targeting host mitochondrial repair pathways are a useful adjuvant to traditional antimicrobial therapy.   

What do you like most about Emory?
My supportive colleagues at the VA and within the Department of Medicine, whose commitment to clinical care and scholarship has not wavered despite the increased stress and workload brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
‘Seinfeld’ will always be my favorite. Currently, I am most excited for ‘Succession’ to return for a third season.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spending time with my wife and two-year old daughter. Finding good hiking spots around Atlanta. Looking forward to exploring Atlanta’s diverse culinary scene again when the pandemic is over.

What is a fun fact about you?
During my medical school years, I ran after a purse thief in the streets of Pittsburgh and was able to recover the purse after a several block chase.