Lab Members

Biography

Justin Bahl is a Professor at the University of Georgia with appointments in the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and the Institute of Bioinformatics. He also serves as Scientific Director of the Georgia Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence (PGCOE), a CDC-supported initiative focused on genomic surveillance, emerging infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness.

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Dr. Bahl’s research program integrates evolutionary biology, genomic epidemiology, phylodynamics, artificial intelligence, and One Health surveillance to investigate how pathogens emerge, spread, and adapt across interconnected human, animal, and environmental systems. His work has contributed to understanding influenza virus evolution, zoonotic emergence, SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, and to the development of integrated surveillance systems capable of supporting early warning and public health response.

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His laboratory develops computational and analytical frameworks that combine pathogen genomics with ecological, epidemiological, and socioecological data to identify drivers of disease emergence and transmission. Current projects include the evolutionary dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, AI-enabled genomic surveillance systems, ecological risk modeling for zoonotic spillover, and cross-scale genomic epidemiology of pandemic and seasonal epidemic respiratory viruses.

Dr. Bahl leads a highly interdisciplinary research environment composed of epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, computational scientists, engineers, and molecular biologists working collaboratively on complex open-ended problems in infectious disease research. His program emphasizes team science, cross-disciplinary training, and the development of next-generation scientists capable of bridging computational, biological, and public health domains.

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Mentoring Philosophy

Dr. Bahl’s mentoring philosophy is grounded in collaboration, growth, and community. He views mentorship as a partnership built upon shared goals, complementary strengths, and mutual investment in professional development.

A central principle of his approach is the alignment of objectives between mentor and trainee. Dr. Bahl emphasizes the importance of establishing clear and realistic goals that support both the trainee’s career aspirations and the broader mission of the research program.

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His laboratory operates through a team science model that values interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of complementary skillsets. Trainees are encouraged to lead with their strengths while engaging in cross-disciplinary learning and collaborative problem-solving.

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Dr. Bahl’s mentoring framework includes three developmental phases: onboarding and integration into the research program, portfolio and project development, and independent program development. Throughout these stages, trainees receive support in manuscript preparation, grant writing, project management, scientific communication, and leadership development.

Ultimately, his goal as a mentor is to help trainees develop into independent, collaborative, and intellectually rigorous scientists capable of addressing complex problems in infectious disease research. He strives to cultivate a supportive and inclusive research culture that celebrates collective success and promotes both personal and professional growth.