Steele-Mortimer Research Group

Olivia Steele-Mortimer, Ph.D.

Deputy Chief, Laboratory of Bacteriology
Chief, Salmonella-Host Cell Interactions Section

Education:

Ph.D., 1994, European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Dr. Steele-Mortimer received her Ph.D. in cell biology from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in 1994. From 1995 to 1999, she did postdoctoral research on Salmonella-host cell interactions in the laboratory of B. Brett Finlay at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, followed by one year at Washington University, St. Louis, with Phillip D. Stahl. She came to the National Institutes of Health in 2001 and became a tenured Senior Investigator in 2007.

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Audrey Chong, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Dalhousie University
B.Sc., University of Victoria

I am interested in the contributions of specific Salmonella Typhimurium populations to intestinal pathogenesis. We use an acute colitis mouse model of infection to look at intestinal colonization and gut inflammation, and a chronic mouse model of infection to assess persistence, fecal shedding, and transmission.

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Kendal Cooper, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
B.S., Microbiology, University of Montana

I study the role of Salmonella motility and chemotaxis in colonization of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. I also am interested in Salmonella colonization of tumors and engineering delivery strains for tumor therapeutics.

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Chadwick Neal Hillman, B.S.

Biologist

Education:

B.S., UC Davis

I am the lab manager for the SHCI section.

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Olof Rickard Nilsson, Ph.D.

Visiting Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of Copenhagen, Denmark

M.S., University of Lund, Sweden

Languages Spoken: Swedish, German

My main research interest is the effects of systemic Salmonella Typhimurium infection on the central nervous system. I make extensive use of fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to study both bacterial virulence factors involved in infection and the response of the immune system.

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Former Research Group Members

Postdoctoral Fellows

Timothy Bauler, Ph.D., Western Michigan University

Dan Drecktrah, Ph.D., University of Montana

Ciaran Finn, Ph.D., Trinity College Dublin

Brittany Fleming, Ph.D., Gilead Sciences

Antonio Ibarra, Ph.D., National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico

Carrie Jolly, Ph.D., U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Leigh Knodler, Ph.D., Washington State University

Virginia Koçieda, Ph.D., Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program, Montana

Stephanie Lathrop, Ph.D., University of Montana

Preeti Malik-Kale, Ph.D., Denali Therapeutics Inc

Mary-Ann McCrackin, DVM, Ph.D., University of Georgia

Post-bac Fellows

Aaron Bestor

Kelsey Binder

Kristopher Bosi

Whitney Boyd

Kendal Cooper

Courtney Lutterbach

Sarimar Medina-Maldonado

Tara Pierson

Sushmita Sridhar

Donna Twedt

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September 28, 2022

Meier-Schellersheim Research Group

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Computational and quantitative experimental cell biology and immunology

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Meier-Schellersheim Research Group

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Martin Meier-Schellersheim, Ph.D.

Chief, Computational Systems Biology Section

Education:

Ph.D., 2001, University of Hamburg, Germany

Dr. Meier-Schellersheim obtained a master’s degree in physics in 1997 and a Ph.D. in 2001 from the University of Hamburg, Germany. His research focuses on building a bridge between experimental and computational cell biology through the development and application of modeling tools that combine accessible graphical interfaces with the capability to perform spatially and temporally highly resolved simulations, even for models of complex cellular signaling processes.

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Hannes Bongartz, Ph.D.

Biologist, Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2017, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany

Languages Spoken: German

Hannes Bongartz is an experimental biologist and a Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow in the Computational Systems Biology Section (CSBS). He received his Ph.D. in 2017 from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany, for his work on the pathogenesis of dysregulated cellular signaling pathways associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Hannes joined CSBS in 2021 to further pursue his interest in...

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Christopher Thomas Boughter, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of Chicago
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park

Christopher Boughter is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Computational Biology Section. Originally from Canton, Massachusetts, he received his B.S. in Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he built a strong quantitative foundation and an interest in research. Working with Dr. Jeffery Klauda and later Dr. Daniel Lathrop, he gained exposure to both computational and experimental...

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Matthew Penaso-Stinson, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD

Matthew Penaso-Stinson is interested in the complex signaling environments in which macrophages are embedded and how extracellular matrix fibers alter their responses to inflammatory and migratory cues to control their decision-making processes. He primarily studies macrophage behavior with live-cell migration assays in 3-D chambers in vitro, designed to mimic basement membrane and interstitial...

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Thorsten Prüstel, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

B.S., Ph.D., University of Hamburg, Germany

Languages Spoken: German

Thorsten Prüstel received his B.S. and Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Hamburg in Germany. After conducting post-doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Martin Meier-Schellersheim, he became a staff scientist in the Computational Systems Biology Section. The main foci of Thorsten’s research are on stochastic modeling and quantitative analyses of interactions between...

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Yuting Shao, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics
M.S., Computer Science, Northeastern University
B.S., Electronic Engineering, Jilin University

Yuting Shao is a postdoctoral visiting fellow in the Computational Biology Section. She received her Ph.D. in physics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, her M.S. in computer science from Northeastern University, and her B.S. in electronic engineering from Jilin University. She brings a unique interdisciplinary background to her research, combining her expertise in...

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Shikha Sharma, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2023, Indian Institute of Science and Educational Research, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Shikha is a postdoctoral visiting fellow in the Computational System Biology Section (CSBS). She received her Ph.D. in computational biology in August 2023 from the Indian Institute of Science and Educational Research in Mohali, India for her work on antimalarial drug actions and their mechanisms of resistance. Shikha joined CSBS in November 2023 to further pursue her interest in 3D structural...

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Fengkai Zhang, M.D., M.Math.

Staff Scientist

Education:

M.D., Beijing Medical University
M.Math., Bioinformatics, University of Waterloo
B.S., Computer Science and Statistics, University of Manitoba

Languages Spoken: Mandarin Chinese

Fengkai Zhang is a staff scientist in the Computational Systems Biology Section. He received his M.D. from Beijing Medical University, his B.S. in computer science and statistics from the University of Manitoba, and his master’s degree in bioinformatics from the University of Waterloo. His postdoctoral work at Virginia Commonwealth University focused on SNPs in human and mouse. Following his...

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Former Research Group Members

Dr. Josua Aponte-Serrano, Research Scientist, United Therapeutics, Silver Spring, Maryland

Dr. Bastian Angermann, Associate Principal Scientist, AstraZeneca, Sweden

Dr. Tara Capece, Scientific Review Officer at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland

Dr. Frederick Klauschen, Director of the Institute for Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany

Dr. Anke Knauf, Head of Research Management, Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany

Dr. Bernadette Marrero, Regulatory and Scientific Analyst Amarex Clinical Research, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Dr. Rajat Varma, Director, Oncology Research (Nextgen IO) AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Dr. Oded Yakobi, Israel Aerospace Industries

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May 17, 2024

Otto Research Group

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The Pathogen Molecular Genetics section investigates physiology and host interaction of Gram-positive pathogens with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. We are also investigating the interactions of commensal staphylococci with other bacteria within the human microbiome and the potential of probiotic approaches to control bacterial infections.

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Otto Research Group

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Michael Otto, Ph.D.

Chief, Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section

Specialty(s): Infectious Disease

Education:

Ph.D., 1998, M.S., 1993, University of Tübingen, Germany

Dr. Otto received his M.S. in biochemistry in 1993 from the University of Tübingen, Germany. In 1998, he earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the same institution. Dr. Otto joined the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis in July 2001 as a principal investigator. In 2008, he became a tenured senior investigator and moved his laboratory to the NIH Bethesda main campus.

Yiu Chong “Gordon” Cheung, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Glasgow, Scotland

Languages Spoken: Cantonese

Gordon is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic success of S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Additionally, he has a strong interest in investigating the host immune responses that occur during acute skin and severe sepsis infections and what bacterial virulence factors drive these processes.

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Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Languages Spoken: Hebrew

Baruch is interested in bacterial communication and the antimicrobial activity of bacteria in the context of the skin microbiome. He is also developing molecular tools for skin microbial research.

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Ryan Liu, B.S.

Microbiologist

Education:

B.S., Virginia Technical University

Ryan provides general support and animal model support.

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Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Microbiologist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Amer provides research support for various projects in the laboratory and specializes in molecular biology. He also performs protein chemistry and applications involving RNA.

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Former Research Group Members

Nana Amissah, Ph.D. (University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana)

Som Chatterjee, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD)

Seth W. Dickey, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, College Park, MD)

Lei He, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai)

Hwang-Soo Joo, Ph.D. (Duksung Womens’ University, Seoul, South Korea)

Stanislava Kocianova, Ph.D. (Wuppertal, Germany)

Katherine Le, M.D. (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN)

Min Li, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China)

Saravanan Periasamy, Ph.D. (Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, India)

Li Qin, M.D. (Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, China)

Pipat Piewngam, Ph.D. (Summit Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA)

Shu Yeong “Johnny” Queck, Ph.D. (Biomerieux Ltd., Singapore)

Kevin R. Rigby, Ph.D., (miRagen Therapeutics, Boulder, CO)

Viveka Vadyvaloo, Ph.D. (Idaho State University, Moscow, ID)

Cuong Vuong, Ph.D. (Aicuris, Wuppertal, Germany)

Rong Wang, Ph.D. (USDA, Clay Center, NE)

Yufeng Yao, Ph.D. (Jiaotong University, Shanghai)

Yue Zheng. Ph.D. (Innovent Biologics, Rockville, MD)

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September 28, 2022

Bloom Research Group

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The laboratory investigates the pathogenesis and biology of viruses belonging to the tickborne encephalitis (TBE) virus complex of flaviviruses. Endemic throughout much of the northern hemisphere, these viruses can cause severe encephalitis, meningitis, or hemorrhagic fevers with relatively high mortality rates. Our research utilizes in vitro, ex vivo, and animal models (mouse and tick) to examine the biology of acute and persistent infection in mammalian and arthropod systems. Understanding these aspects of virus biology will increase understanding of these important pathogens and may provide targets for the design of countermeasures. Methods employed include confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, electron cryotomography, immunohistochemistry, microarray analysis, nucleic acid sequencing, and molecular virology.

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Bloom Research Group

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Learn more about Marshall E. Bloom, M.D.

Marshall E. Bloom, M.D.

Associate Director for Science Management, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
Chief, Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section

Education:

M.D., 1971, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Dr. Bloom received his M.D. in 1971 from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., and then joined the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) of NIAID in 1972 as a research associate. From 1975 to 1977, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the NIAID Laboratory of the Biology of Viruses on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.

Dylan Paul Flather, Ph.D.

IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Virology), University of California, Irvine
B.S., Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder

My research interests are focused on the host cell proteins that promote positive-sense single stranded RNA virus replication. My current projects include the identification and characterization of these host dependency factors in human cells, and in the cells of reservoir or vector species, for tick-borne flaviviruses and betacoronaviruses. The ultimate goal of this type of research is to...

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Missiani J. Ochwoto, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Languages Spoken: Kiswahili

I joined NIH, NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in 2021 as a visiting fellow. My work is developing ex-vivo organ cultures from ticks that will be used to understand the biology of vector-host interactions and to develop countermeasures for control of tick borne flaviviruses.

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Danielle K. Offerdahl, B.S., M.S.

Microbiologist

My projects focus on the biology of acute and persistent arboviral infections. The projects aim to explicate the role of lipids during vector-borne viral infection, examine the effects of viral induced host protein production, and potentially identify targets for antiviral development.

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Stacey L. P. Scroggs, Ph.D., M.P.H.

IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow

I study the evolution and persistence of RNA viruses with a focus on flaviviruses. Currently, I am developing an animal model to study chronic Powassan disease.

Learn more about Stacey L. P. Scroggs, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Philip E. Stewart, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

My research interests are divided into two research projects focused on pathogen transmission by ticks: 1) Can the tick microbiome inhibit or enhance the ability of microbial pathogens to infect the tick? 2) Genetic manipulation of ticks to reduce pathogen transmission.

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Former Research Group Members

Jeffrey M. Grabowski, Ph.D.

Ciera Morris, B.A.

Luwanika Mlera, Ph.D. University of Arizona

Benjamin L. Kendall, Mayo University

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September 27, 2022

Tirloni Research Group

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The overall research objectives of the Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit (TPTU) focus on studying tick- feeding biology to understand how salivary gland and midgut proteins impact blood feeding and facilitate the establishment, replication, and transmission of pathogens. Our goal is to identify molecular pathways that can be used as targets for the development of effective anti-tick and/or pathogen-blocking strategies.

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Tirloni Research Group

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Lucas Tirloni, Ph.D.

Chief, Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit
Tenure-Track Investigator

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
M.Sc., Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
B.Sc., Biomedical Science, Universidade de Cruz Alta, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Tirloni was born and raised in Brazil. He received his B.Sc. in biomedical science from Universidade de Cruz Alta, Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2009. He then earned his M.Sc. (2012) and Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology (2015) from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Christopher Bosio, Ph.D.

Microbiologist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
M.S., Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
B.S., Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

I am studying the correlation of morphometrics of the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis , with blood feeding and transmission of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi . My main interests are in vector-borne disease transmission, vector ecology, and population genetics. Past postdoctoral research experience includes the population genetics and vector competence of the mosquito vector, Aedes...

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Adéla Chlastáková, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Infection Biology, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
M.Sc., Clinical Biology, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
B.Sc., Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic

Languages Spoken: Czech

Dr. Chlastáková’s research focuses on the role of tick salivary protease inhibitors, particularly serpins, at the tick-host interface. She is mainly interested in how tick proteins affect the host’s immune system and wound-healing responses. Learn more about Adéla Chlastáková, Ph.D.

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Adéla Chlastáková, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Stephen Lu, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
M.Sc., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
B.Sc., Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Lu was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Federal University of São Paulo in 2019. Following his doctoral studies, he completed postdoctoral training in the Vector Biology Section at NIAID/NIH from 2019 to 2024. Dr. Lu’s research focuses on elucidating the roles of various proteins from hematophagous vectors, particularly in...

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Sazzad Mahmood, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
M.Sc., University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
B.Sc., University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Languages Spoken: Bengali

I am studying salivary glands of hard tick Ixodes scapularis. Blood feeding has an impact on the physiology of salivary glands due to different factors. I am investigating this physiological change using single-cell RNA-Seq, RNA in-situ hybridization, phosphoproteomics, and spatial proteomics. Learn more about Sazzad Mahmood, Ph.D.

Learn more about Sazzad Mahmood, Ph.D.

Jhenifer Nascimento da Silva, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
M.Sc., Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Macae City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
B.Sc., Biological Science, State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Nascimento has expertise in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry, with a focus on vector biology and the energy metabolism of pathogen-vectoring arthropods. She has been studying the processes of embryogenesis and oogenesis, exploring the metabolic pathways that regulate cellular function and organismal physiology. Currently, at NIAID, she has been involved in the...

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Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Biosciences and Biotechnology Applied in Health, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Brazil
M.Sc., Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, Univeridade Estadual Vale do Acaraú (UVA), Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Sousa-Paula has expertise in arthropod vectors of health-threatening pathogens. In particular, he has studied phlebotomine sand flies and leishmanial parasites, with a background in population genetics, evolution, and bioinformatics. Additionally, he has collaborated on studies of other arthropod vectors (such as ticks) and pathogens (including Rickettsia spp. bacteria and Babesia spp. parasites), which has broadened his research interests to include various vectors, parasites, and diseases. Currently, he is a postdoctoral visiting fellow at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, MT, where he receives training in vector biology, focusing on tick species and their genomic and transcriptomic characteristics related to blood feeding.

Learn more about Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Markus Berger Oliveira, Ph.D., Researcher, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Paula Terraciano, Ph.D., Researcher, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Larissa Almeida Martins, Ph.D., Research Scientist, University of Nevada, Reno
Jan Kotal, Ph.D., Early-career investigator, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Gabriel Cerqueira Alves Costa, Ph.D, Postdoctoral Researcher, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
Pedro Machado Medeiros de Albuquerque, M.Sc., Ph.D. candidate, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Ana Carolina Castro Santiago, M.Sc., Ph.D. candidate, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Brazil
Eric Marialva, M.Sc., Ph.D. candidate, Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Brazil
Andrei Abarientos, Undergraduate Student, University of Connecticut

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Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, 2024. Front Row (left to right): Jhenifer Nascimento da Silva, Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow; Chris Bosio, Microbiologist; Adéla Chlastáková, Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow. Back Row (left to right): Sazzad Mahmood, Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow; Lucas C. Sousa-Paula, Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow; Lucas Tirloni, Senior Investigator; Stephen Lu, Research Fellow.

November 29, 2023

Marcotrigiano Research Group

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Structural biology of virus and host interactions.

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Marcotrigiano Research Group

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Joseph Marcotrigiano, Ph.D.

Chief, Structural Virology Section

Education:

Ph.D., The Rockefeller University

Dr. Joseph Marcotrigiano pursued graduate studies at Rockefeller University in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen K. Burley, determining the first structures of proteins involved in eukaryotic translation initiation. After receiving a Ph.D., Dr. Marcotrigiano became a Merck Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation at the Center for the Study of Hepatitis C under the direction of Dr. Charles Rice...

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Altaira D. Dearborn, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

M.S., Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara

B.S., Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara

Languages Spoken: French, Ivatan

Dr. Dearborn joined the Structural Virology Section in 2019, having completed post-doctoral training in virology and structure biology with Drs. Paul Wingfield and Alasdair Steven in the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

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Kaneemozhe Harichandran, M.S., Ph.D.

Post-doctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University

M.S., Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University

B.E., Biotechnology, MVIT, Bangalore, India

Languages Spoken: Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, German

Dr. Harichandran specializes in RNA molecular Biology and RNA Virology.

Learn more about Kaneemozhe Harichandran, M.S., Ph.D.

Ashish Kumar, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India

M. Tech., Biotechnology, 2015, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India

B. Tech., Biotechnology, 2013, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

During his doctoral research, Ashish investigated the regulatory role of G-quadruplexes in mycobacterial transcription and translation processes. His current research interests focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action for potential tuberculosis (TB) therapeutics. Ashish is particularly passionate about unraveling the complex factors contributing to drug resistance in Mycobacterium...

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Guangping Liu, B.S.

Biologist

Education:

B.S., Medical, Secondary Military Medical College, Shanghai, China

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Guangping Liu joined NIMH in 2004 and moved to NIAID in 2012. She has worked on transgenic mouse models of schizophrenia and preclinical trials, as well as flavivirus and alphavirus studies.

Learn more about Guangping Liu, B.S.

Myeisha Paskel, B.S.

Laboratory Manager/Biologist

Education:

B.S., Zoology, North Carolina State University
B.S., Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University

Myeisha has been a member of NIAID since early in her career. She has worked with some of the top scientists in their fields, Drs. Barbara Davis (Women’s Health), Paul Foster (Toxicology), and Kanta Subarao (Influenza), to name a few. She specializes in Molecular Biology.

Learn more about Myeisha Paskel, B.S.

Former Research Group Members

Emma Gebauer (Stonybrook University)

Tiana Rohe (Rochester University)

Jennifer Casiano-Matos, Ph.D. (Horizon Therapeutics)

Reafa Hossain (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Alvaro Hobbs (Rockefeller University)

Angela Tavolieri (University of Central Florida)

Michael Wang (Thomas Jefferson University)

Chen Wang, Ph.D. (Sanofi)

Yuanyuan Wang, Ph.D. (E-Town International Investment & Development Co. Ltd.)

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September 27, 2022

Kwon-Chung Research Group

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Studies on pathobiology of medically important fungi especially of those causing cryptococcosis and aspergillosis.

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Kwon-Chung Research Group

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Learn more about K.J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D.

K.J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D.

Chief, Molecular Microbiology Section, LCIM

Education:

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison

B.S., M.S., Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea

Dr. Kwon-Chung received her B.S. and M.S. in biology from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, prior to receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue her doctoral work in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After receiving her Ph.D. in 1965, she joined the Medical Mycology Section of the NIAID Laboratory of Microbiology in 1966 as a visiting fellow. She...

Yun C. Chang, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist 2

Education:

University of California, Riverside, CA

Languages Spoken: Taiwanese, Mandarin

Pathobiology of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii; Mechanism of adaptive drug resistance in cryptococci. Cryptococcal genomics and aneuploid formation under azole stress. He trains new fellows on molecular manipulation and general laboratory protocol handling pathogenic fungi.

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Ami Khanal-Lamichhane, M.S.

Biologist

Education:

M.S., Microbiology, Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan

Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi

Molecular biological technology used in genomic manipulation of fungal cells. Chromosome tagging with reporters in cryptococci.

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Sujiraphong Pharkjaksu, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand

Languages Spoken: Thai

Mechanism of polyene susceptibility in environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. He is also interested in the mechanism of cryptococcal ux1 mutants in 5-FC resistance.

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Dong-Hoon Yang, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biotechnology, Younsei University, Seoul, Korea

Languages Spoken: Korean

His research is concentrating on the pathobiological differences between Cryptococcus gattii and Crptococcus neoformans: Differences in the risk factors of the infection by the two species, differences in the association of nitrogen source and 5-fluorocytosine resistance.

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Former Research Group Members

Michael J. Davis, Ph.D. Advanced Molecular Transport in San Francisco

Amir Seyedmousavi, Ph.D. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH

Edward Sionov, Ph.D. Head, Department of Food Sciences Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization Rishon LeZion, Israel

Ram Petter, Ph.D. Head of Biopharmaceuticals CMO operations, Teva, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Popchai Ngamskulrungroj, Ph.D. 2008-2012. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Brian L. Wickes, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas

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Photo of K.J.Kwon-Chung Research Group Members

September 27, 2022

Tan Research Group

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The Antibody Biology Unit aims to study antibody responses to infectious pathogens at the monoclonal level. Our major goals are 1) to develop new antibody therapeutics or prophylactics to combat infectious disease, 2) to study the antibody responses to immunization and infection at high resolution, and 3) to investigate the use of monoclonal antibodies as tools for immunogen design. 

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Tan Research Group

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Learn more about Joshua Tan, Ph.D.

Joshua Tan, Ph.D.

Chief, Antibody Biology Unit
Earl Stadtman Investigator

Education:

Ph.D., University of Oxford, England

Dr. Tan received his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, England. His Ph.D. work focused on the identification of unusual LAIR1-containing human monoclonal antibodies targeting antigens on Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. After his Ph.D., he was awarded a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship to continue his work on human monoclonal antibodies against human-infecting pathogens...

Andrew J.R. Cooper, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Immunology, University of Dublin, Trinity College

Andrew’s research aims to assess antibodies targeting known and previously uncharacterized merozoite antigens for their suitability as prophylactic and therapeutic tools, by analysis of potency, affinity, and precise antigenic epitope. Moreover, he aims to investigate the differences in antibody responses triggered by malaria infection and immunization.

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Cherrelle Dacon, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Malaria Research Program

Education:

D.Phil., Infection, Immunology and Translational Medicine, University of Oxford

Cherrelle’s work in the Antibody Biology Unit centers on the discovery and characterization of human monoclonal antibodies. Her current research focuses are (I) the identification of novel mAb targets on P. falciparum sporozoites and (II) the characterization of broadly neutralizing antibodies against infectious viruses. Ultimately, this work will guide immunogen design and the development of...

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Adriano Franco-Casín, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University

The main goal of Adriano’s research is to identify next-generation monoclonal antibody therapeutics. A similar approach is being used to identify new mAbs that target P. falciparum sporozoite CSP for clinical development. His main research interests include infectious diseases and antibody and immune memory development in response to pathogens.

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Shi-Hsia Hwa, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Infection and Immunity, University College London

Shi-Hsia’s project aims to discover new B cell antigens in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as well as functionally protective human monoclonal antibodies, using high-throughput, antigen-agnostic methods to isolate anti-Mtb antibodies from tuberculosis (TB)-exposed donors. While Mtb has a large number of protein, polysaccharide, and lipoglycan antigens that elicit specific antibodies, only a...

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Jake E. Kritzberg, B.A.

Laboratory Manager

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory

Education:

B.A., Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder

Jake supports and assists ongoing research projects focusing on human monoclonal antibodies to pathogenic viruses, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Learn more about Jake E. Kritzberg, B.A.

Mariah Lofgren, B.A.

Ph.D. Student, NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program

Education:

B.A., Sarah Lawrence College

Mariah will take an antigen-agnostic approach to discover antibodies in conjunction with structural biology techniques to identify sites of vulnerability on  P. falciparum merozoites. With this work, she hopes to discover potential antibody and immunogen candidates for blood-stage malaria as well as help answer parasite biology questions. She’s excited about this project as it combines her...

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Hasmik Manukyan, M.Sc.

Scientist

Education:

M.Sc., Environmental Chemistry, Yerevan State University

Hasmik’s research interests are in PCR and NGS methods development and validation, as well as implementing various molecular biology techniques for diverse research purposes. At the Antibody Biology Unit, she is working to develop an NGS library preparation protocol for single-sorted B cells and B cell lines expressing target antibodies to assess B cell activation by candidate immunogens.

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Samantha L. Petros B.Sc.

Biologist

Education:

B.Sc., Translational Life Sciences and Technologies, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

In the Antibody Biology Unit, Samantha contributes to the advancement of malaria research by dissecting and collecting sporozoites from malaria-infected mosquitos. Her work involves research into malaria parasite development, utilizing microscopy techniques and cell culture methods. Samantha is committed to advancing infectious disease research and addressing global health challenges.

Learn more about Samantha L. Petros B.Sc.

Courtney A. Tucker, B.Sc.

Graduate Student

Education:

B.Sc., Biology, American University

The focus of Courtney’s research project is to study antibodies that reduce or prevent the clinical manifestations associated with malaria infection using an antigen-agnostic approach to target asexual blood-stage malaria. Additionally, she is interested in identifying transmission-blocking antibodies capable of blocking the sexual reproductive cycle and parasite development in the mosquito vector...

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Weizhi William Zhong, M.Sc.

Scientist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

M.Sc., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University

At the Antibody Biology Unit, William is dedicating his efforts to the advancement of antibody engineering through the strategic utilization of cell surface display technologies. His work is focused on improving the affinity and avidity of antibodies, employing these biotechnological methods to pave the way for groundbreaking developments in therapeutic interventions and antibody research.

Learn more about Weizhi William Zhong, M.Sc.

Former Research Group Members

Lauren E. Purser, B.Sc.

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February 20, 2025

Ribeiro Research Group

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Role of vector saliva in blood feeding by arthropods, in particular determining the structure-function relationships of their components.

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Ribeiro Research Group

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José Ribeiro, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Vector Biology Section

Education:

M.D., State University of Rio de Janeiro

Ph.D., Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Ribeiro received his M.D. from the State University of Rio de Janeiro and a Ph.D. from the Biophysics Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He was an assistant and associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and professor at the department of entomology in the University of Arizona before joining NIAID in 1996.

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Patricia Hessab Alvarenga, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Biological Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

M.Sc., Biological Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

B.Sc., Biological Sciences (Genetics), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Alvarenga has been studying vector biochemistry and physiology for more than 15 years. Lately, she has been involved in the functional and structural characterization of proteins with relevance to vector biology, including protein families present in the saliva of different disease vectors.

Learn more about Patricia Hessab Alvarenga, Ph.D.

John Andersen, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

Dr. Andersen studies the biochemistry and structure of proteins from disease vectors and pathogenic microorganisms to understand their roles in vector feeding and disease transmission.

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Pedro Amado Cecilio, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences (Microbiology Specialty), Pharmacy Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Integrated Master, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Spanish, French

Dr. Cecilio is particularly interested in vector-pathogen-host interactions and their implications for human disease.

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Melina Garcia Guizzo, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biological Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

M.Sc., Biological Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

B.Sc., Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Guizzo has been studying tick-microbial relationships, especially focused on tick-endosymbiont-pathogen interactions in several species of economic/public health concern.

Learn more about Melina Garcia Guizzo, Ph.D.

Stephen Lu, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Learn more about Stephen Lu, Ph.D.

Van Pham

Biological Research Technician

Languages Spoken: Vietnamese

Ms. Pham provides technical support across many areas for the laboratory.

Learn more about Van Pham

Former Research Group Members

1996-2002, Research Fellow, Jesus Valenzuela, Ph.D., Tenure track investigator, NIAID

1998-2002, Staff Scientist, Yasmine Belkaid, Ph.D., Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation

1999-2002, Research Fellow, Nanda Guderra, Ph.D, NIAID, Occupational Health Branch

2004-2008, Research Fellow, Ben Mans, Ph.D., Specialist Research Scientist, Agricultural Research Council, Ondertepoort Research Station, South Africa

2003-2008, Research Fellow, Eric Calvo, Ph.D., Staff Scientist, Food and Drug Administration

2005-2009, Research Fellow, Anderson de Sá Nunes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, State University of São Paulo, Brazil

2003-2004, PostbaccalaureateTraining, Ana Veiga, Associate Professor, Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude, Porto Alegre, Brazil

2005-2009, Research Fellow, Michalis Kotsyfakis, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Biology Center, National Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic

2008-2010, Research Fellow, Patricia H. Alvarenga, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

2007-2010, Research Fellow, Nicholas Manoukis, Ph.D., Research Biologist, USDA-ARS, U.S. Pacific Basin, Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, Hawaii

2008-2012, Research Fellow, Xu Xueqing, Ph.D. , Research Scientist, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

2009-2009, Research Fellow, Carlo Oliveira, D.V.D., Associate Professor, Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Brazil

2002-2016, Staff Scientist, Ivo Francischetti, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

2009-2013, Research Fellow, Tereza de Assumpção, Ph.D., Research Fellow, University of Maryland

2010-2015, Research Fellow, Andrezza Campos-Chagas, Ph.D. , Senior Scientist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

2010-2015, Research Fellow, Dongying Ma, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Sickle Cell Branch, NHLBI

2013-2015, Research Fellow, Willy Jablonka, Ph.D., Visiting Professor, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

2009-2018, Staff Scientist, Eric Calvo, Ph.D., Tenure-track Scientist, LMVR

2016-2016, PostbaccalaureateTraining, Ethan Strayer, Graduate Student, Yale University

2013-2018, Research Fellow, Julio Castillo Cabrera, Ph.D., Senior Investigator, Instituto de Investigaciones, Panama

2018-2020, Research Fellow, Lucas Tirloni, Tenure-track Scientist, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratory

2017-2017, Summer student, Thulasi Kulasinghe, Post-Bac, National Institutes of Health (NCI), Rockville, MD

2017-2017, Summer student, Saiprasad Ravi, Post-Bac, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD

2016-2017, PostbaccalaureateTraining, Nina Picher Allan, Graduate Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa

2017-2019, Research Fellow, Frank Criscione, Ph.D., Life Science Market Analyst, Bioinformatics Inc.

2016-2019, Research Fellow, IL Hwan Kim, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, National Research Foundation of Korea

2015-2019, Research Fellow, Ines Martin Martin, Ph.D., Research fellow with Dr. Eric Calvo, LMVR

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September 27, 2022

Valenzuela Research Group

Read more about Valenzuela Research Group

The Vector Molecular Biology Section (VMBS) focuses on understanding how molecules from arthropod vectors are critical for the success of pathogen transmission and translating this knowledge into disease control opportunities. The section has two main themes: dissecting the immune events following an arthropod bite, mainly the cellular interactions at the vector-host-pathogen interface, and their implication for disease pathogenesis; and elucidating the determinants of successful transmission to a mammalian host by a competent arthropod vector.

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Valenzuela Research Group

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Jesus G. Valenzuela, Ph.D.

Chief, Vector Molecular Biology Section
Deputy Chief, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research

Education:

Ph.D., 1995, University of Arizona

Dr. Valenzuela received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Arizona in 1995. He joined the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases in 1996, became a research fellow in 1999, and became a tenure-track investigator in the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research in October 2002. Dr. Valenzuela became a Senior Investigator in October 2009. In 2019, Dr. Valenzuela became deputy chief of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research.

Learn more about Jesus G. Valenzuela, Ph.D.

Johannes S. P. Doehl, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular Parasitology, 2014, University of York, Department of Biology/Hull York Medical School, UK

B.Sc. Honours, Biochemistry, 2009, University of Aberdeen, UK

Languages Spoken: German, Portuguese, Spanish

My current main research interest are two-fold, revolving around 1) the description of scratching as a host immune defense mechanism against ectoparasites, and 2) the understanding of skin patch formation and expansion post-dissemination of Leishmania infantum.

Learn more about Johannes S. P. Doehl, Ph.D.

Serena Doh

Postbac IRTA

Education:

Bachelor's Degree, University of Maryland, College Park

Associate's Degree, Montgomery College

Languages Spoken: Korean

I am part of the tick project that investigates immune responses to tick bites which will lead to development of an anti-tick vaccine.

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Eva Iniguez, Ph.D.

IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow (INRO)

Education:

Ph.D., Pathobiology, University of Texas at El Paso

Languages Spoken: Spanish

I am interested in vector-host-pathogen interactions focused on leishmaniasis, a vector-borne neglected disease transmitted to humans by the bite of a Leishmania-infected sand fly. I am currently studying the skin immune responses to infected sand fly bites. I am involved in field-oriented research to investigate Leishmania transmission dynamics implicating both clinical and entomological tools in...

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Postdoctoral Fellow in the Vector Molecular Biology Section of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Biology

Shaden Kamhawi, Ph.D.

Group Leader, Insect-Human-Pathogen and Insect-Reservoir-Pathogen Interactions, Vector Molecular Biology Section

Education:

Ph.D., Medical Entomology, Salford University, Salford, England

Languages Spoken: English, French, Arabic

Dr. Kamhawi received her Ph.D. in medical entomology from Salford University in England in 1990. She worked as an assistant professor at Yarmouk University in Jordan, where she worked for several years on leishmaniasis and hydatid disease, with a focus on disease transmission and risk factors in field settings. In 1997, she worked as a visiting scientist at NIAID’s Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases...

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Claudio Meneses, B.S.

Research Associate

Education:

B.S., 1995, Universidade Gama Filho, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

My duties consist of maintaining large sand fly and tick colonies for supplying lab members and international collaborators with live insects for their research projects.

Learn more about Claudio Meneses, B.S.

Fabiano Oliveira, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Scientist, Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Human Pathology, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil

M.D., Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Spanish

Dr. Fabiano Oliveira earned his M.D., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees from the Federal University of Bahia/ Fiocruz. In 2003, he joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a postdoctoral fellowship and was appointed as a staff scientist in 2008. Dr. Oliveira currently serves as an associate scientist/staff scientist at the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID. Dr. Oliveira's clinical...

Learn more about Fabiano Oliveira, M.D., Ph.D.

Portrait of Fabiano Oliveira, Ph.D., M.D.

Tiago Donatelli Serafim, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2012, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil

Bachelor’s degree, 2008, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Dr. Serafim got his Ph.D. in Brazil on immunology of Leishmania infection and purinergic signaling and spent early career years in the UK at the University of Glasgow investigating the role of kinases on Trypanosoma brucei in vivo.

Learn more about Tiago Donatelli Serafim, Ph.D.

Sameeta Siraj

IRTA student

Education:

Pre-Clinical Nursing Program, Montgomery College

Languages Spoken: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi

I am working as a student IRTA to help in the Leishmania project at the LMVR. I take care of the sand flies as they are the natural vectors of Leishmania. I also help in breeding and potting them up to provide strong colonies for research purposes.

Learn more about Sameeta Siraj

Daniel E. Sonenshine, Ph.D.

Guest Researcher

Education:

Ph.D., 1959, University of Maryland
Bachelor’s degree, 1955, City College of New York

I am investigating the role of tick saliva regulating tick feeding success, including the antihemostatic features of tick saliva that facilitate tick attachment and ability to engorge.

Learn more about Daniel E. Sonenshine, Ph.D.

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