Bobby Warren

My research focuses on understanding how environmental reservoirs contribute to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), with emphasis on surface, sink, and water system contamination in acute care settings. I study how pathogens persist, spread, and interact with healthcare workflows, and how environmental design influences transmission risk.

A major focus of my work is the epidemiology and transmission of Clostridioides difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in hospital environments. I lead studies examining environmental contamination, colonization pressure, and the effectiveness of disinfection strategies to reduce patient risk.

I evaluate novel and enhanced disinfection technologies and implementation strategies, including ultraviolet disinfection, chemical disinfectants, and workflow-based interventions. My work aims to translate laboratory and epidemiologic findings into practical, scalable infection prevention programs.

My research integrates molecular diagnostics, viability PCR, and culture-based methods to characterize clinically relevant environmental contamination. Current projects focus on improving surveillance approaches to distinguish viable pathogens from residual nucleic acid and to support evidence-based infection prevention.

An emerging area of my research examines environmental contamination dynamics in neonatal intensive care units, with particular attention to how unit layout, shared equipment, and caregiving practices may influence transmission risk in highly vulnerable populations.