Bio
Throughout my scientific training, I have focused on building an interdisciplinary background in molecular parasitology, biochemistry, immunology, and public health to provide me with the skills needed to pursue development of a successful malaria vaccine. My PhD research at Harvard centered on understanding immune responses to the developing transmission stages of malaria. By providing the first evidence for natural immunity to immature transmission stages, this work supports interrupting development and maturation of these parasites as a novel approach to transmission-blocking vaccine design. During my postdoctoral fellowship and in the future, I hope to continue researching host-pathogen interactions with applications to malaria vaccine development, while also being involved in global health work in the field. Currently my work focuses on understanding mechanisms of natural immunity to malaria and immune tolerance, particularly in the context of gamma delta T cell and monocyte responses.
