Xingmin Sun, PhD

Professor of Microbiology & Immunology

Director of Translational Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine

Contact Info

• Office: MDC 3523
• Academic Email: sun5@usf.edu
• Academic Phone: (813) 974-4553
• View My C.V. | View My Website

Education

Biography

Dr. Xingmin Sun (http://www.sunlab-usf.com/) is a Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in the Department of Molecular Medicine at the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida (USF), where he also serves as Director of Translational Infectious Disease. He holds affiliate appointments in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Molecular Biosciences, and Chemistry and is a member of Microbiome Institute, Center for Global Health and Inter-Disciplinary Research, and Center for Antimicrobial Resistance, at USF Dr. Sun received his Ph.D. in Natural Sciences, magna cum laude, from the University of Kiel, Germany, and completed his postdoctoral training in Molecular Microbiology and Biochemistry at Brown University. His research focuses on microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and the development of vaccines and therapeutics against infectious diseases. A major focus of his laboratory is Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), including understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying C. difficile pathogenesis and host immunity and translating these discoveries into novel vaccines, immunotherapies, and antimicrobial strategies. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2012, and his work has contributed to advances in both the fundamental understanding and translational targeting of CDI. Dr. Sun is nationally and internationally recognized for his research on C. difficile pathogenesis and vaccine and therapeutic development. He has served extensively on NIH study sections, including as a study section chair. He is an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology, and Frontiers in Immunology and serves on the editorial boards of Infection and Immunity and Applied and Environmental Microbiology. His honors include the Tufts Institute for Innovation Inaugural Award (2014), USF Faculty Outstanding Research Achievement Award (2018 & 2025), USF Excellence in Innovation Award (2020), and election as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in 2025. He has also held multiple leadership roles in the USF Chapter of the NAI, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Executive Committee member. Outside the laboratory, Dr. Sun enjoys music, working out, and exploring cuisines from different cultures.