- Regents Professor
Biography
Dr. Call is a first-generation college graduate from WSU (1987). He pursued an M.S. at Humboldt State University (1990) and returned for a Ph.D. in Zoology at WSU (1997). His postdoctoral training was in immunopathology (University of Michigan), and environmental microbiology (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory). In 2000 he joined the faculty in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, moving to the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health in 2012. His initial research focused on antibiotic use in food animal production for which he was recognized as a Fellow by the American Association for Advancement in Science (2014). His research then shifted to molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in Tanzania, Kenya, Guatemala and Brazil. With extramural funding from CDC, NIH, NSF, USDA, DoD, and Wellcome Trust, Dr. Call has published over 275 peer-reviewed papers. He served in Faculty Senate leadership (2020-2023) and as the senior vice provost for WSU (January 2024-June 2026) before returning to his faculty role in the College of Veterinary Medicine (July 2026) where his research contributions are focused on bioinformatics of cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. He will serve as the President of the Washington State Academy of Sciences (October 2026-September 2028). Dr. Call continues to engage with undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral and visiting scholars across a wide range of topics from bench science to field work, technical writing, and leadership mentoring, but he is not currently accepting new graduate students.
Dr. Call’s hobbies: Multi-day whitewater river rafting, flyfishing, backpacking, gardening and tending a hobby farm, woodworking.
NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program
Research Interests in proteins and biotechnology
Studies mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic bacteriocins, and peptides, and large-scale epidemiological studies with people and animals in low- & middle-income countries.
Affiliate or Adjunct Appointments
- Adjunct, Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology
Education
- Postdoctoral training, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 1999
- Postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan, 1997-1999
- PhD, Washington State University, 1997
- MS, Humboldt State University, 1992
- BS, Washington State University, 1987
Research Interest
- Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance
- Fate and impact of excreted antibiotic residues in agriculture
- Mechanisms of action for bacteriocins and antimicrobial peptides
- Evolution of antimicrobial resistance
- Application of electrochemical systems to clinical care and diagnostics
Publications
Professional Service
- President-elect, president, and past-president, Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS), 2025-2029.
- Board of Directors, WSAS (2021-pres.), board secretary 2022-2025
- Editorial Board, ASM Food Microbiology (2026-pres)
- Senior vice provost, WSU, 2024-2026
- Director, NIH-NIGMS T32, Protein Biotechnology Training Program (2022-2024)
- WSU Faculty Senate chair-elect, chair and past chair, 2020-2023
- Editorial Board, Applied & Environmental Sciences, 2008-2022
- Associate Director, Allen School, 2013-2020
- Director, Immunology & Infectious Disease graduate program, 2017-2019
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, American Academy for Microbiology, 2026
- Sahlin Eminent Faculty Award, 2021
- Elected member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences, 2017
- Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Research, Scholarship & Arts, 2017
- WSU Distinguished Faculty Address, 2017
- WSU Honors Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship, 2015
- Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science, 2014
- Zoetis Animal Health Award for Research Excellence, 2013
- Honors College Faculty Thesis Advisor of the Year, 2011
- Honorary Life Membership to the Northwest Scientific Society, 2010
- Caroline Engle Distinguished Professorship in Research on Infectious Diseases, 2006-2013