About

Linnie Golightly is an Associate Professor of Medicine in Microbiology & Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her research involves the development and validation of ligase detection reaction (LDR) techniques combined with PCR, capillary electrophoresis, and Universal Arrays to differentiate multiple microbial pathogens in a single sample using microbial signature profiles. She collaborates with Drs. Francis Barany and Davise Larone from the Departments of Microbiology and Pathology, respectively. Additionally, her group is working on techniques to detect food and waterborne pathogens in collaboration with investigators at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra, Ghana, and the GHESKIO center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her laboratory focuses on developing methods to detect Dengue, West Nile, and other emerging pathogens in blood, as well as viral and protozoan pathogens in fecal specimens. Dr. Golightly is also interested in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria and, in collaboration with colleagues, investigates the hypothesis that cerebral malaria results from an imbalance in microvascular homeostasis.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Medical education
• Demographic economics
• Geography
• Economics
• Economic growth

Selected publications

• Barriers and Facilitators for Participation in Global Health Research Training Programs Among Underrepresented Minority Groups

  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2025-05-13

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The optimal global health (GH) workforce should be racially and ethnically diverse, yet few persons from historically underrepresented minority (URM) groups in the United States participate in GH training programs. We conducted a study to explore barriers and facilitators for URM individuals to participate in the NIH Fogarty International Center's GH Program for Fellows and Scholars (FGHFS), which offers yearlong international research training opportunities. We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods study design that used qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 18) to inform a subsequent quantitative online survey (n = 82). We assessed URM interest and engagement in GH training at three stages of FGHFS (applicants, alumni, and eligible persons who had not applied). Most participants in both phases were female, Black or African American, aged between 31 and 39 years, and had completed graduate or postgraduate training; a third or less were Hispanic. We identified four principal barriers to participation in GH training programs including lack of exposure to GH, lack of mentorship or support, challenges of global travel and work, and finances. The barriers compounded across training stages. Principal facilitators of training engagement included encouraging mentors and supportive families. Recommendations for increasing the participation of URM individuals in GH research training programs included increased financial support and exposure to GH in academic studies, as well as exposure to role models and mentors who can provide career advising in GH. Our findings suggest that early exposure, mentorship, and sufficient financial support will facilitate URMs' entry into GH.

  PublisherDOI

• Addressing structural mentoring barriers in postdoctoral training: a qualitative study

  Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education · 2023-11-25 · 8 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Purpose –: Structural mentoring barriers are policies, practices and cultural norms that collectively disadvantage marginalized groups and perpetuate disparities in mentoring. This study aims to better understand structural mentoring barriers at the postdoctoral training stage, which has a direct impact on faculty diversity and national efforts to retain underrepresented groups in research careers. Design/methodology/approach –: A diverse sample of postdoctoral scholars ("postdocs") from across the USA were asked to participate in focus groups to discuss their training experiences. The authors conducted five 90-min focus groups with 32 biomedical postdocs, including 20 (63%) women and 15 (47%) individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (URG). Findings –: A social-ecological framework was used to categorize both the upstream and downstream manifestations of structural mentoring barriers, as well as mentoring barriers, overall. Notable structural barriers included: academic politics and scientific hierarchy; inequalities resulting from mentor prestige; the (over) reliance on one mentor; the lack of formal training for academic and non-academic careers; and the lack of institutional diversity and institutional mentor training. To overcome these barriers, postdocs strongly encouraged developing a network or team of mentors and recommended institutional interventions that create more comprehensive professional development, mentorship and belonging. Originality/value –: For postdoctoral scientists, structural mentoring barriers can permeate down to institutional, interpersonal and individual levels, impeding a successful transition to an independent research career. This work provides strong evidence for promoting mentorship networks and cultivating a "mentoring milieu" that fosters a supportive community and a strong culture of mentorship at all levels.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Addressing structural mentoring barriers in postdoctoral training: A qualitative study

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2022-08-23 · 4 citations

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background Structural mentoring barriers are policies, practices, and cultural norms that collectively disadvantage marginalized groups and perpetuate disparities in mentoring. While these mentoring barriers can be found early in the training pathway, failure to address or overcome these barriers at the postdoctoral training stage has a direct impact on faculty diversity and national efforts to retain underrepresented groups in research careers. Methods To better understand the mentoring barriers faced by postdoctoral trainees, and possible ways to address them, a diverse sample of postdoctoral scholars (“postdocs”) from across the United States were asked to participate in focus groups to discuss their training experiences. We conducted five 90-minute focus groups with 32 biomedical postdocs, including 20 (63%) women and 15 (47%) individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (URG). Participants were well-represented across years of training, and 65% were at least somewhat likely to pursue a research-intensive faculty career, similar to previously reported national averages. Results A social ecological framework was used to examine both the upstream and downstream manifestations of structural mentoring barriers, as well as mentor barriers, overall. Themes were categorized on four broad levels: Individual (attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, or behaviors that inform mentoring barriers), Interpersonal (mentoring barriers arising from dyadic, peer, or network relationships), Institutional (departmental, institutional, organizational mentoring barriers), or Systemic (mentoring barriers originating from policies or broad social and cultural norms). Notable structural barriers included (1) academic politics and scientific hierarchy, (2) inequalities resulting from mentor prestige, (3) the (over) reliance on one mentor, (4) the lack of formal training for academic and non-academic careers, and (5) the lack of institutional diversity and institutional mentor training. These structural barriers foster mentoring practices and behaviors that lead to poor work-life balance, poor communication, and research career attrition. To overcome these barriers, postdocs strongly encouraged developing a network or team of mentors and recommended institutional interventions that create more comprehensive professional development, mentorship, and belonging. Conclusions For postdoctoral scientists, structural mentoring barriers can permeate down to institutional, interpersonal, and individual levels, impeding a successful transition to an independent research career. It has become clear that large-scale changes in mentoring must come from addressing the policies, practices, and cultural norms that perpetuate poor mentoring. This work provides strong evidence for promoting mentorship networks and cultivating a “mentoring milieu” that fosters a supportive community and a strong culture of mentorship at all levels.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Career choices of underrepresented and female postdocs in the biomedical sciences

  eLife · 2020 · 89 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Political Science
  • Medical education
  • Psychology

  The lack of diversity among faculty at universities and medical schools in the United States is a matter of growing concern. However, the factors that influence the career choices of underrepresented minority and female postdoctoral researchers have received relatively little attention. Here we report the results of a survey of 1284 postdocs working in the biomedical sciences in the US. Our findings highlight possible reasons why some underrepresented minority and female postdocs choose not to pursue careers in academic research, and suggest interventions that could be taken in the early stages of postdoctoral training to prevent this attrition of underrepresented groups.

  PublisherDOI

• Challenges and Strategies for Biomedical Researchers Returning to Low- and Middle-Income Countries after Training

  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2020 · 42 citations

  • Political Science
  • Medical education
  • Economic growth

  The brain drain of professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to developed countries is well documented and partially due to the challenges faced by biomedical researchers to establish themselves back at home, after training abroad. These challenges may result in the loss of highly trained individuals from LMICs and reduce the availability of local expertise to develop/inform best practices in health care and to direct locally relevant research. The path of training of LMIC researchers in high-income countries is well documented. However, strategies for a successful reintegration of biomedical researchers back to their home research institutions in LMICs are less clear. We report observations of workshops addressing repatriation needs of researchers returning to their home countries after training abroad during the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) 2017 and 2018 annual meetings. Strategies proposed include maintaining connections with the home research institution, ideally through collaborations, planning 18 months ahead before returning with grants applications submitted, and engaging in networking throughout the training period. In addition to presenting our observations, we hope to build a network to facilitate this process, compile resources, and identify expertise within the ASTMH to develop robust strategies to allow young biomedical researchers to flourish in LMICs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Author response: Career choices of underrepresented and female postdocs in the biomedical sciences

  2019-11-13

  peer-reviewOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Severe malaria: update on pathophysiology and treatment.

  PubMed · 2019-10-01 · 24 citations

  articleSenior author

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Malaria threatens the lives of over 200 million individuals with the disease each year. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant cause of severe malaria which may be lethal and result in neurocognitive sequelae despite appropriate treatment. We review recent advances regarding the pathophysiology of severe malaria and treatment recommendations for severe disease in the United States. RECENT FINDINGS: Infected red blood cell (iRBC) sequestration in microvascular beds is a critical factor in the development of severe malaria syndromes. Interactions between iRBC variant adhesive peptides and the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) result in perturbations of coagulation and cytopreservation pathways. Alterations in the protein C/EPCR axis are implicated in cerebral malaria, respiratory distress, and anemia. Brain MRIs reveal the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in cerebral malaria patients. Transcriptomic analysis reveals commonalities in disease pathogenesis in children and adults despite differences in clinical presentation. US guidelines for severe malaria treatment currently recommend intravenous artesunate including in pregnant women and children. SUMMARY: Despite advances in our understanding of malarial pathogenesis much remains unknown. Antimalarial agents eradicate parasites but no treatments are available to prevent or ameliorate severe malaria or prevent disease sequelae. Further study is needed to develop effective adjunctive therapies.

  PublisherDOI

• Severe malaria: update on pathophysiology and treatment

  Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases · 2019-08-01 · 42 citations

  reviewSenior authorCorresponding

  Purpose of review Malaria threatens the lives of over 200 million individuals with the disease each year. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant cause of severe malaria which may be lethal and result in neurocognitive sequelae despite appropriate treatment. We review recent advances regarding the pathophysiology of severe malaria and treatment recommendations for severe disease in the United States. Recent findings Infected red blood cell (iRBC) sequestration in microvascular beds is a critical factor in the development of severe malaria syndromes. Interactions between iRBC variant adhesive peptides and the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) result in perturbations of coagulation and cytopreservation pathways. Alterations in the protein C/EPCR axis are implicated in cerebral malaria, respiratory distress, and anemia. Brain MRIs reveal the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in cerebral malaria patients. Transcriptomic analysis reveals commonalities in disease pathogenesis in children and adults despite differences in clinical presentation. US guidelines for severe malaria treatment currently recommend intravenous artesunate including in pregnant women and children. Summary Despite advances in our understanding of malarial pathogenesis much remains unknown. Antimalarial agents eradicate parasites but no treatments are available to prevent or ameliorate severe malaria or prevent disease sequelae. Further study is needed to develop effective adjunctive therapies.

  PublisherDOI

• A Multiplex PCR/LDR Assay for Viral Agents of Diarrhea with the Capacity to Genotype Rotavirus

  Scientific Reports · 2018-08-29 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Rotavirus and noroviruses are major causes of diarrhea. Variable rotavirus vaccination efficacy in Africa and Asia is multifactorial, including the diversity of circulating strains and viral co-infection. We describe a multiplexed assay that detects and genotypes viruses from stool specimens. It includes a one-step reverse transcriptase PCR reaction, a ligase detection reaction (LDR), then hybridization of fluorescent products to micro-beads. In clinical samples it detects rotavirus, caliciviruses (sapovirus and norovirus), mixed infections, and genotypes or genogroups of rotaviruses and noroviruses, respectively. The assay also has the capacity to detect hepatitis A. The assay was validated on reference isolates and 296 stool specimens from the US and Ghana. The assay was 97% sensitive and 100% specific. The genogroup was concordant in 100% of norovirus, and the genotype in 91% and 89% of rotavirus G- and P-types, respectively. Two rare rotavirus strains, G6P[6] and G6P[8], were detected in stool specimens from Ghana. The high-throughput assay is sensitive, specific, and may be of utility in the epidemiological surveillance for rare and emerging viral strains post-rotavirus vaccine implementation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• In vivo noninvasive visualization of retinal perfusion dysfunction in murine cerebral malaria by camera‐phone laser speckle imaging

  Journal of Biophotonics · 2018-06-14 · 10 citations

  articleCorresponding

  Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection associated with impaired cerebral blood flow. Visualization of the eye vasculature, which is embryologically derived from that of the brain, is used clinically to diagnose the syndrome. Here, we introduce camera-phone laser speckle imaging as a new tool for in vivo, noncontact two-dimensional mapping of blood flow dynamics in the experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) murine model of Plasmodium berghei ANKA. In a longitudinal study, we show that the camera-phone imager can detect an overall decrease in the retinal blood-flow-speed (BFS) as ECM develops in P. berghei ANKA infected mice, with no similar change observed in uninfected control mice or mice infected with a non-ECM inducing strain (P. berghei NK65). Furthermore, by analyzing relative alterations in the BFS of individual retinal vessels during the progression of ECM, we illustrate the strength of our imager in identifying different BFS-change heterogeneities in the retinas of ECM and uninfected mice. The technique creates new possibilities for objective investigations into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of CM noninvasively through the eye. The camera-phone laser speckle imager along with measured spatial blood perfusion maps of the retina of a mouse infected with P. berghei ANKA-a fatal ECM model-on different days during the progression of the infection (top, day 3 after infection; middle, day 5 after infection; and bottom, day 7 after infection).

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R21NS054243

  NIH · $390k · 2008

• NIH Grant K11AI001268

  NIH · $431k · 1999

• Global Health Research and Training in malaria and cholera: opportunities for nov

  NIH · $860k · 2014–2021

• NIH Grant R01AI046494

  NIH · $1.4M · 2005

Frequent coauthors

• Sanchita Das

  National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

  71 shared

• Macarthur Charles

  Center for Global Health

  66 shared

• Kristi Shigyo

  Harbor–UCLA Medical Center

  65 shared

• Ananías A. Escalante

  Temple University

  64 shared

• Jean W. Pape

  Weill Cornell Medicine

  64 shared

• Rodney Destiné

  64 shared

• Laura A. Kirkman

  Weill Cornell Medicine

  64 shared

• Leopoldo Villegas

  64 shared