David Roach, MD, MBA
Instructor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Infectious Disease Attending Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Post-doc, Bhattacharyya Lab, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

About my role

As an ARLG fellow, my work has focused on developing better ways to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) quickly and accurately, especially in low-resource settings. With ARLG’s support, I built BADLOCK, a CRISPR-based assay that can rapidly identify bacterial species and resistance genes directly from blood cultures. ARLG funding has been key in helping me validate the BADLOCK assay, develop computational tools to design better CRISPR targets, and even start international partnerships to validate BADLOCK in the global health setting. Beyond the research itself, ARLG has been an incredible source of mentorship and collaboration. I’ve had the opportunity to work with experts in bacterial genomics, clinical microbiology, and AMR surveillance, which has helped me shape both the scientific and real-world impact of my work. ARLG’s support has been instrumental in helping me grow as a researcher and work toward developing practical solutions for tackling AMR in clinical settings.

About my research

My research aligns closely with ARLG’s mission to advance innovative strategies for detecting, preventing, and treating AMR. In my view, a key part of tackling AMR is improving diagnostics. While the BADLOCK assay is certainly capable of providing valuable diagnostic information in well-resourced settings, it is specifically designed to be implementable in low- and middle-income countries because the burden of AMR is often more severe in these areas.

Improving how we detect, track, and respond to resistant infections is critical in slowing the spread of AMR, and my work directly contributes to that effort.

Why is this research important?

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine, and a major part of the problem is that we don’t have fast, reliable ways to detect resistant infections. Right now, diagnosing bacterial infections and determining their resistance patterns can take days, which delays the right treatment and increases the risk of poor outcomes—especially for critically ill patients. My research is focused on developing rapid, low-cost molecular diagnostics that can identify both bacterial species and resistance genes directly from clinical samples. The goal is to get actionable results in under two hours from the time of positive cultures, helping doctors make faster, more informed treatment decisions.

On a global scale, AMR is especially concerning in low-resource settings, where delayed or limited diagnostic capabilities contribute to higher rates of inappropriate antibiotic use and worse patient outcomes. Rapid, low-cost diagnostic tools are especially important in low-resource settings, where traditional diagnostics may not be available or feasible due to the extensive physical and human infrastructure required to perform them. By designing tools that are both technologically innovative and practical for real-world use, my work aims to improve how we detect, track, and manage AMR globally. Ultimately, better diagnostics mean faster treatment, fewer unnecessary antibiotics, and improved patient outcomes—which are all key in slowing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Impact of the ARLG mentoring and funding on my career

The mentoring support from ARLG has been highly valuable and has opened doors that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. I have received really helpful advice on grant proposals, which has made a big difference in shaping my applications and research plans. I’ve also learned about funding opportunities that I might not have considered on my own, helping me think more strategically about the next steps in my career. On top of that, ARLG’s support has given me opportunities to present at national conferences where I have been able to share my work, get feedback from experts, and connect with people doing similar research. All of this has had a huge impact on my career and the direction of my research.

The funding and support from ARLG have been absolutely pivotal in shaping my career. With their support, I’ve been able to pursue a Master’s in Epidemiology at Harvard, giving me the analytical and methodological training to bridge molecular diagnostics with broader infection control strategies. This training has strengthened my ability to design impactful studies and think critically about how to apply new technologies to real-world AMR challenges.

ARLG funding also allowed me to generate key preliminary data for my K08 application, advancing my work on CRISPR-based diagnostics and AMR detection. This work has already led to multiple publications, helping to establish myself in the field and contribute meaningful research to the AMR community. Additionally, I was honored to receive a national award for innovation from the Infectious Disease Society of America, which has opened doors to new collaborations and research partnerships with leaders in microbiology, epidemiology, and global health. Overall, ARLG’s support has not only accelerated my research but also expanded my professional network and positioned me to take on bigger, more collaborative projects in AMR detection and surveillance. It’s been a game-changer for my career, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has provided.

What information about the network would you like to share?
For anyone who isn’t familiar with ARLG, I would say that it’s an incredible network of researchers who are truly invested in supporting the next generation of scientists working on AMR. One of the best things about ARLG is the people—there are so many wonderful mentors and colleagues who are eager to hear about your work, offer guidance, and genuinely cheer you on as you grow in your career.

Another great aspect of ARLG is the flexibility it provides. They don’t just fund research; they give you the freedom to pursue your ideas in the direction that makes the most sense for your goals. Whether you’re focused on diagnostics, clinical trial design, or another aspect of AMR, ARLG provides the support and resources to help you take your work further. For trainees, it’s an amazing opportunity to be part of a community that is both scientifically rigorous and incredibly welcoming, so if you are thinking about it, you should certainly apply!!