The research goals in the Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit (MPEU) are to study the biology of the malaria parasite by characterizing essential vector-parasite and host-parasite interactions shaping malaria transmission. The long-term goal is to identify new targets that could be exploited for malaria interventions including chemotherapy, vaccine development, and transgenic mosquitoes.

Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit, May 2022: (left to right) Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Principal Investigator; Medard Ernest Kaiza, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow; Zarna Rajeshkumar Pala, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow; Francis Monique de Souza Saraiva, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow; Thiago Luiz Alves e Silva, Research Fellow; and Brendan Sweeney, Postbaccalaureate trainee.
Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Earl Stadtman Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar
Chief, Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit
Education:
Ph.D., 2008, Rio Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

Kelly N. Hanner, B.S. (She/Her/Hers)
Postbaccalaureate trainee
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Biology, University at Fredonia, The State University of New York

Medard Ernest Kaiza, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Languages Spoken: Japanese, Swahili, Haya

Heather Michelle Kudyba, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral fellow

Zarna Rajeshkumar Pala, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Gujarati
Francis Monique de Souza Saraiva, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Biosciences, emphasis in Biochemistry, 2019, Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil
M.Sc., Biosciences, emphasis in Biochemistry, 2015, Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil
B.Sc., Biology, 2012, Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil
Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Thiago Luiz Alves e Silva, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Research Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Former Research Group Members
Tales Pascini, Ph.D., Former Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, currently at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Yeong Je Jeong, MS, Former Postbaccalaureate, currently at George Washington Medical School.
Janet Olivas, Bs, Former Postbaccalaureate, currently a Graduate Student at New York University.
Brendan Sweeney, Bs, Former Postbaccalaureate, currently at George Washington Medical School.
Malika Saxena, Bs, Former Postbaccalaureate