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Dr. White’s research interests center on pathogenic fungi, how those fungi respond to antifungal drugs, and the molecular mechanisms behind that response. The major emphasis in the lab is on the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, which is the causative agent of oral, vaginal and systemic candidiasis.  This is the earliest and most frequent infection associated with immune compromised HIV-infected individuals, and is a common problem in other immune-suppressed populations.  Fungi that are resistant to antifungal drugs are analyzed to understand the mechanisms of resistance and to shed insight into susceptible cell responses to drug.  Recent efforts have concentrated on understanding how fungal cells regulate sterol metabolism, the target of many antifungal drugs.  The White alboratory has shown that the transcriptional regulation of sterols appears to be similar in fungi and mammals.  These similarities are being exploited to understand sterol metabolism in both.