Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, shares his 48 years of experience studying infectious diseases, particularly focusing on Cryptococcus and candida infections. He discusses how antifungal medications have evolved from highly toxic drugs to more effective treatments, while emphasizing the need for faster-acting drugs that require shorter treatment periods. The interview covers emerging diagnostic tools using molecular methods, the promise of combining drugs with immune-boosting therapies, and the importance of understanding how fungi survive in the human body to develop better treatments.