The Malaria Research group brings together a large number of teams that focus on the malaria parasite and its mosquito vector (the insect that transmits the disease-causing parasite) providing a unique environment to study this devastating global human health burden.
Mission
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical regions, with the highest burden being in sub-Saharan Africa. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, and, in severe cases, organ failure or death. Despite progress in prevention and treatment, malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year—most of them children under five.
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Global Health Impact: Malaria remains one of the world’s most significant infectious diseases, with over 200 million cases annually.
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Drug and Insecticide Resistance: Both malaria parasites and mosquitoes are evolving resistance to current treatments and control methods, making innovation essential.
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Economic and Social Burden: Malaria slows economic growth and strains healthcare systems in affected regions.
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Climate Change: Shifting weather patterns may expand mosquito habitats, increasing malaria risk in new areas.
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Eradication Goals: Research drives the development of vaccines, new medicines, and advanced mosquito control strategies—critical steps toward a malaria-free world.
Investing in malaria research saves lives, strengthens communities, and moves us closer to global eradication. Every breakthrough brings hope for a future where no one suffers from this preventable and curable disease.
Collective Research Interests
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the role of specific transcription factors in the regulated development of the parasite and commitment to sexual stage development
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the control of by RNA-binding proteins upon transmission between the mosquito vector and mammalian host
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characterizing the metabolic network of malaria parasites and its dynamics
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the study of Plasmodium histone modifications in gene regulation
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the effects of climate and climate change upon the transmission and development of the malaria parasite in the Anopheles mosquito
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the modeling of infection/transmission dynamics in natural and laboratory settings
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the possible effects of partially effective vaccines upon parasite virulence
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the control of parasite growth and development in mosquitoes through bacterial and fungal interventions
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the role of external chemical stimuli to prompt vector/host interactions
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the transmission dynamics across multiple seasons and the population genetics of the mosquito vectors
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how building design, infrastructure and development decisions can help reduce malaria risk worldwide
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the ecology, biology, and evolution of lizard malaria
Leading Researchers
