Peter Hyson, M.D. advances groundbreaking babesiosis research that could lead to the first treatment for parasite that destroys red blood cells. Hyson is holding the Emerging Leader Award trophy given to him by the Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
Vermont Business Magazine Peter Hyson, M.D., Green and Gold Early Career Professor in the department of Medicine at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and infectious disease specialist at the UVM Medical Center received a $150,000 Emerging Leader Award from Bay Area Lyme Foundation. The foundation gives this award to accelerate innovative approaches and generate insights that can improve patient care.
With approximately 60% of blacklegged ticks in Vermont testing positive for a tickborne disease, Vermonters are at high risk for infection. Dr. Hyson will use the funding to advance research into babesiosis, a tick-borne blood infection caused by microscopic parasites called Babesia that attack and destroy red blood cells.
The diseae can cause flu-like or malaria-like complications with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and anemia. He has identified a promising new class of compounds against Babesia and is working to confirm their drug target to advance development of new therapies. If approved, this would represent the first drug created specifically for treatment of babesiosis.
“Babesiosis is becoming more common both in Vermont and nationwide and existing medicines are inadequate,” said Dr. Hyson. “I worry about my kids or my neighbors getting this infection because standard of care treatment isn’t effective and relapsing cases can develop. For the last four years my team have been working with babesia parasites in the lab, developing new experimental tools and discovering new drug candidates for this disease.”
In addition to babesiosis and Lyme disease, the Vermont Department of Health has identified Anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, Erlichiosis, and other tickborne pathogens in the state. While Lyme disease is the most common, cases of anaplasmosis and babesiosis have increased dramatically over the last ten years. Tickborne diseases are diagnosed all 12 months of the year in Vermont.
Bay Area Lyme Foundation is the leading public charity sponsor of innovative Lyme and tick-borne disease research in the United States. The foundation’s Emerging Leader Award supports high-impact, proof-of-concept research aimed at advancing new diagnostics and treatments for Lyme and related diseases. Award recipients are early- to mid-career researchers—from postdoctoral fellows to associate professors—who demonstrate strong potential to drive progress in the field, including scientists entering tick-borne disease research from related disciplines.
The award was presented on May 23 at the foundation’s annual LymeAid gala, which brings together leading scientists and clinicians, patients, and supporters united by a shared conviction: Tick-borne infections should not be hard to diagnose, difficult to treat, or easy to dismiss, and the science to change that is within reach.
About the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Founded in 1822, the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont is the seventh-oldest medical school in the nation. The college is dedicated to developing exceptional physicians and scientists by offering innovative curriculum design, state-of-the-art research facilities, and clinical partnerships with leading health care institutions. The college’s commitment to excellence has earned national recognition, attracting talented students, trainees, physicians, and researchers from across the country and around the world. With a focus on inclusive excellence, the Larner College of Medicine prides itself on cultivating an environment that uplifts and supports its faculty and student populations while advancing medical education, research, and patient care in Vermont and beyond. uvm.edu/larnermed
6.16.2026. BURLINGTON, VERMONT - Larner College of Medicine at UVM
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
Vermont Business Magazine