William D Lainhart, PhD, D(ABMM)
Dr. Lainhart is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson. He also serves as System Scientific Medical Director for Microbiology and Infectious Disease Diagnostics for Banner Health/Sonora Quest Laboratories/Laboratory Sciences of Arizona and as Section Chief of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
As a board-certified clinical microbiologist, Dr. Lainhart’s work bridges academic medicine, clinical laboratory leadership, infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and diagnostic innovation. His career has focused on advancing the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases through the integration of conventional microbiology, molecular diagnostics, laboratory automation, and emerging technologies.
Dr. Lainhart has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and invited reviews covering clinical microbiology, diagnostic stewardship, antimicrobial resistance, fungal diagnostics, laboratory automation, emerging infectious diseases, and infectious disease epidemiology. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and is an editor for Microbiology Spectrum.
Degrees
- PhD, Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany (SUNY) / Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health (2015)
- MS, Epidemiology, University at Buffalo (SUNY) (2011)
- MS, Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo (SUNY) (2007)
- BS, Biological Sciences, Cornell University (2004)
Fellowship
- New York State Emerging Infectious Diseases Postdoctoral Fellowship: Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 2015-2016
- Medical and Public Health Microbiology Fellowship: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 2016-2018
Awards
- 40 Under 40 Honoree, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Daily Star (2020)
- Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award, Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists (2017)
- ASM Outstanding Abstract Awards (2017, 2018)
- ASM Infectious Diseases Travel Award (2016)
- ASM Infectious Diseases Fellows Program (2017)
- Extraordinary Service Award, Microbiology Spectrum (2021, 2022)
- Letter of Commendation from the Chief Clinical Officer of Banner Health and President of Banner University Medicine Division for contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020)
Licensure & Certification
- Diplomate, American Board of Medical Microbiology (D(ABMM)) (2018)
Teaching Interests
Dr. Lainhart is committed to the education of medical students, pathology residents, infectious diseases fellows, laboratory professionals, and early-career faculty. His teaching interests include:
• Clinical microbiology and infectious disease diagnostics
• Medical and public health microbiology
• Molecular microbiology and molecular infectious disease testing
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and antimicrobial stewardship
• Diagnostic stewardship and laboratory utilization
• Emerging infectious diseases
• Fungal and mycobacterial diagnostics
• Clinical laboratory management and leadership
• Laboratory quality, regulatory compliance, and patient safety
• Career development and professional advancement in laboratory medicine
Research Interests
• New diagnostics
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Bacteriology
• Automation