The Molecular Pathogenesis and Biomarkers Section focuses on malaria pathogenesis in pregnant women and young children and identifying targets of protective immunity.
Michal Fried, Ph.D.
Chief, Molecular Pathogenesis and Biomarkers Section
Education:
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Israel
M.Sc., Ben-Gurion University, Israel
Sonal Kale, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Kumaun University, Nainital, India
MSc, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
BSc, IEHE Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
Languages Spoken: Hindi
During her Ph.D., Sonal measured naturally acquired antibodies against two malaria vaccine candidates, assessed genetic diversity in these vaccine candidates, as well as structural changes associated with mutations. Currently, Sonal is focused on studying malarial anemia pathogenesis in young children, conducting functional analysis of pathways associated with acute hemoglobin loss during malaria...
Santosh A. Misal, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Education:
Ph.D., Biochemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
MSc, Biochemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
BSc, Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Marathi
Santosh has a strong background using various proteomics tools including chemical labeling, crosslinking, and global proteomic analysis. As a staff scientist at MPBS, his research focuses on utilizing proteomics tools to identify epitopes of malarial proteins targeted by naturally acquired antibodies. He is also applying proteomics tools to study host responses to malaria infection.
Delesa Damena Mulisa, Ph.D., DVM
Postdoctoral fellow
Education:
Ph.D. in human genetics/bioinformatics from the University of Cape Town, South Africa
Doctor of veterinary medicine, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
MSc in Medical Microbiology, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Languages Spoken: Afan Oromo, Amharic
During his Ph.D., Delesa utilized genome-wide association studies, phylogenetics and post-GWAS analyses to identify traits associated with severe malaria. His current research interests include identifying Plasmodium falciparum membrane protein complexes associated with protective immunity in children using proteomics tools. He is also investigating human candidate gene polymorphisms that are...
Manisha Pritam, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Amity University, Lucknow, India
MSc, MGCGV Chitrakoot Satna M.P, India
BSc, DDU University Gorakhpur, India
Languages Spoken: Hindi
During her Ph.D., Manisha focused on using bioinformatic tools to design multi-epitope vaccines to different pathogens including Plasmodium, Leishmania, SARS-CoV-2, Rhizopus, and Enterococcus. As a postdoctoral fellow at MPBS, she is applying her experience to identify conserved PfEMP1 sequences across clinical parasite isolates that mediate parasite adhesion to endothelial receptors such as CD36...
Former Research Group Members
Naissem Andemel (IRTA predoctoral fellowship), currently Kaiser/UCSF Internal Medicine/Preventive Medicine Residency Program and MPH
Patricia Gonzales, Ph.D. (Staff Scientist), currently RSO, Microbiology Review Branch, Division of Extramural Activities/NIAID/NIH
Brittany Pease, Ph.D. (Postdoc fellow) currently, Miltenyi Biotec, Technical Customer Trainer
Bethany Jenkins, Ph.D. (Postdoc fellow) currently Sanaria, staff scientist
Bartholomew Nyangahu, Ph.D. (Postdoc fellow) currently Egerton University Nakuru, Kenya, faculty position
Rachel Boone, BSc (Postbac fellow) currently University of Virginia BIMIS, Ph.D. Candidate