Dr. Evan Bloch is a Professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he serves as the Associate Director of Transfusion Medicine and Medical Director of the Apheresis Service; he also holds a joint appointment in International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Originally from South Africa, Dr. Bloch has drawn on his background in anatomic and clinical pathology (Tufts Medical Center), transfusion medicine (University of California San Francisco), and global health to advance a longstanding interest in the interplay between blood transfusion and infectious diseases, particularly in low and low-middle income countries where transfusion-transmitted infection remains a key metric of suboptimal policies and practices.
Blood transfusion networks afford invaluable opportunity to study neglected (e.g., Babesia) and emerging infectious diseases (Zika, SARS-CoV2). Many —if not most—infectious risks to the blood supply remain neglected (e.g., malaria, bacteria), particularly in low-resourced settings, whereby research can yield high-impact public health intervention. Blood transfusion itself can also be used to contend with emerging pathogens, as illustrated by the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19. To date Dr. Bloch has been engaged in a host of research, educational and clinical outreach endeavors in Transfusion Medicine across diverse settings.
Dr. Bloch has a particular interest in babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic infection that is endemic to parts of the United States (US). Babesia is globally ubiquitous, yet lack of awareness, in part due to historically limited diagnostic tools, has impeded greater recognition of its role in human disease. Dr. Bloch has participated in studies to develop both antibody and molecular tests for detection of Babesia. The studies have also been used to understand the biology of Babesia infection as well as to conduct surveillance outside of the US.
His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Bloch is an active member of the International Society of Blood Transfusion, AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks), and the FDA Blood Product Advisory Committee.
