Rebecca Kumar

Dr. Rebecca Kumar is an Infectious Disease physician at MGUH who specializes in patients who are immunocompromised or living with transplants.  She completed her fellowship training at Northwestern University, where she was funded via a T32 grant.  As part of her training, she received a master’s in clinical investigation.  She is currently involved in clinical trials related to COVID-19 but also has interest in multi-drug-resistant infections and Infection Prevention. 

In addition to this work, she is also involved in medical education within the broader Transplant Infectious Disease Communit; she is a co-leader of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Early Career Network.

Research interests:

  • Transplant Infectious Disease
  • COVID19 infection
  • Immunocompromised
  • Immunosuppressed
  • Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)
  • Infection Prevention
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Education
  • Surgical Site Infections

Selected research:

  • “The Basic Trial: Improving Implementation of Evidence-based Approaches and Surveillance to Prevent Bacterial Transmission and Infection” Dr. Kumar served as the site PI for this NIH Funded study evaluating ways to reduce surgical site infections.
  • “A Study to Learn About a Study Medicine Called Ibuzatrelvir in Adult and Adolescent Patients With COVID-19 Who Are Not Hospitalized But Are at Risk For Severe Disease” Dr. Kumar serves as the site PI for this industry sponsored study. 
  • Kumar RN, Scolarici MJ, Gorsline C, Danziger-Isakov L, Baddley J, Harris CE. Research Advice for Early Career Transplant Infectious Disease Clinicians. Transpl Infect Dis. 2025 May-Jun;27(3):e70041. doi: 10.1111/tid.70041. Epub 2025 Apr 29. PMID: 40298336; PMCID: PMC12205271. This manuscript provides an overview for early career ID faculty to become engaged in research.  

Other information

Editorial Board Member of: 

Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation

Transplant Infectious Diseases

Professional Society Membership:

  • The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2024-now
  • Greater Washington Infectious Disease Society 2021-now, Secretary 2023-2024, Vice President 2024-2025, President 2025-2026
  • International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2020-now, Infectious Diseases Professional Community Early Career Representative 2022-2025
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2018-now
  • American Society of Transplantation, 2018-now, Transplant Diagnostics Community of Practice Executive Committee Member at Large 2023-2025, Infectious Diseases Community of Practice Co-Chair of Policy Committee 2025-2026
  • American College of Physicians 2015-now 

 

Research Areas


  • Medical Education
    Other Medical
    Patient Safety