Stephan Schwander’s research is translational in nature, involving laboratory work and international and local sites and focusing on tuberculosis (TB) and environmental health effects in urban communities. In specific, his research aims at understanding how air pollution affects human immunity during the infection process with M.tb, the bacterium that causes TB.

Both air pollution and TB contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. As TB is a social disease, Schwander’s research on TB in the real world encompasses multiple aspects relevant to public health, the environment, nutrition, poverty, social justice, equity, and health systems.

He has conducted work in Mexico City, Mexico; Dodoma, Tanzania; and Kampala, Uganda.