Acting Chief of the Laboratory Science and Diagnostics Branch

Brian Raphael, PhD
Acting Chief of the Laboratory Science and Diagnostics Branch
Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria

Dr. Raphael most recently led the Diagnostics and Biology Team where he directed efforts to introduce new processes and procedures for domestic diagnostic testing of parasitic diseases. He initiated an ongoing test modernization effort within the team to ensure high laboratory quality standards and improved sustainability of parasitic disease testing.

Dr. Raphael joined CDC in 2005 working to develop and validate assays for detection of botulinum toxin and botulinum neurotoxin-producing Clostridia. He has also served in positions at CDC working to integrate whole genome sequencing into Legionnaires’ disease outbreak investigations in collaboration with several state and local public health laboratories. He has also overseen diagnostic and surveillance testing for various STD pathogens.

Dr. Raphael earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Arizona studying molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of Campylobacter jejuni. He became certified as a Public Health Laboratory Director in 2022.