Rebecca Pavlick
CDR Rebecca Pavlicek was born in the United States and holds four bachelor’s degrees as well as a Ph.D in Infectious Diseases. She earned a degree in Microbiology from Washington State University, as well as degrees in Homeland Security and Investigative Forensics from the University of Maryland University College, and Intelligence Analysis from the American Military University. She holds a Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with a focus on BSL-3/BSL-4 viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens.
Upon commissioning, she was appointed Director of Bacteriology at the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she led the development of patented model systems, diagnostics, and treatments. She later served as the Naval Science and Technology Development Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and as Director of Future Operations, One Health and Global Health Engagements at NEPMU-6 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Dr. Pavlicek is an Adjunct Faculty member at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, teaching Clinical Microbiology and Research Ethics. In 2021, she was named a Fellow at the National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction for her expertise in biological warfare agents.
Her research has included developing reproducible models for testing novel antimicrobials in aggressive infections. Currently, she focuses on field-deployable technologies and vaccine development, collaborating with physicians at Walter Reed Military Medical Center and international hospitals around the world to identify emerging and aggressive pathogens affecting service members.
CDR Pavlicek has received numerous honors, including Navy Microbiologist of the Year (2015, 2016, 2020), six Navy Achievement Medals, four Overseas Service Ribbons, five Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals, and the Army Achievement Medal (2022).
Outside of her professional work, she is a nationally certified EMT, a competitive épée fencer, and a Schutzhund dog sport enthusiast.