SUMMARY
The research of Janis E. Blair, M.D., centers around the fungi coccidioides and the various manifestations of coccidioidomycosis in both people who are healthy and those who are immunocompromised. For example, people receiving solid organ or bone marrow transplants or biological treatments for inflammatory illnesses are more likely to be affected by coccidiodes. So are people with cancer or diabetes.
Dr. Blair also focuses her clinical and research efforts on coccidioidal meningitis, a complication of coccidioidomycosis. She develops protocols aimed at reducing the impact of this fungal infection on various immunosuppressed populations, including organ transplant recipients. As the founder of the Mayo Clinic Coccidioidomycosis Clinic, also known as the Cocci Clinic, and the multidisciplinary coccidioidal meningitis clinic, Dr. Blair leads multidisciplinary efforts to provide optimal care and advance treatment strategies.
Focus areas
- Coccidioidal meningitis clinic. Dr. Blair focuses on early diagnosis, innovative treatment strategies and long-term management to improve outcomes in patients with coccidioidal infection.
- Diagnostic testing. Dr. Blair studies the development of rapid diagnostic tests to improve early detection of coccidioidomycosis, minimizing unnecessary antibacterial treatments.
- Immunosuppressive comorbidities. Dr. Blair evaluates groups of patients with coccidioidomycosis, including those with hematologic malignancies and diabetes, to strategize effective prophylaxis.
- Transplantation and coccidioidomycosis. Dr. Blair develops targeted antifungal prophylaxis strategies to prevent coccidioidal reactivation in transplant recipients.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Blair's research helps healthcare professionals find and treat coccidioidomycosis sooner, so patients get the correct medicine early on. By making tests faster and more accurate, her work helps people recover more quickly and avoid serious health problems.
Professional highlights
- Board member, Coccidioidomycosis Study Group, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 2007-present.
- Reviewer, Transplant Infectious Disease, 2007-present.
- Reviewer, Liver Transplantation, 2006-present.
- Reviewer, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2006-present.
- Reviewer, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2005-present.
- Reviewer, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2004-present.
- Reviewer, Transplantation, 2003-present.
- Top doc, Phoenix magazine, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
- Mayo Clinic:
- Patient Experience Provider Recognition Award, Office of Mayo Clinic Experience, 2020, 2024.
- Outstanding Faculty Award, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, 2023.
- American College of Physicians:
- Educator of the Year, Arizona Chapter, 2021.
- Leader of the Year, Arizona Chapter, 2019.