As head of the TARGETS team my focus is on a family of "sticky" proteins known as the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). P. falciparum is the most pathogenic malaria parasite and a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The virulence of P. falciparum is linked to its expression of PfEMP1 on the surface of infected erythrocytes; these proteins enable the parasites to "stick" to capillaries of the host and are involved in pathogenesis as well of development of immunity to malaria. We have identified a subset of PfEMP1 proteins of importance in severe malaria and are currently investigating their involvement in the molecular mechanisms elicited in cerebral malaria. Read more about our latest discovery at the Advanced Science web site.

Research projects include in vitro molecular and immunological characterization of malaria PfEMP1 proteins associated with severe malaria in young children. I always have bachelor and masters projects on hand; please contact (here) if you are interested in learning more about research done in my research group.

My Researcher Profile at Google Scholar is here.

My ResearcherID profile is here.

My ResearchGate profile is here.

• Immunology and pathogenesis of severe P. falciparum malaria with a particular focus on cerebral malaria in children
• Enhancing malaria research capacity in Africa

Teaching immunology to undergraduate and graduate students at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. University Coordinator of the MSc course “Chronic Inflammation. From Basic Research to Therapy”.

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