Gillian Mbambo
Contact Information:
Training Program:
Graduate Program in Life Sciences: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Mentor(s):
Joana Carneiro da Silva
Summary of the Research Project:
The focus of my thesis research is to identify gene expression patterns and immune cell populations that contribute to malaria susceptibility. I am interested in investigating how a primary Schistosoma haematobium parasitic infection affects the immune response to a secondary Plasmodium falciparum infection. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how co-infection affects the acquisition and maintenance of sustained memory B and T cell immune responses to malaria infection in Malian children. I am also interested in identifying host factors that lead to differential susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection in Malian children with varying susceptibility to clinical malaria disease.
Education:
B.S. in Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park
Achievements and Honors:
- Meyerhoff Graduate Fellow
- UMB Graduate Research Conference Poster Session winner
About me:
I was born and raised in Malawi and moved to Baltimore, Maryland USA in 2006. In my free time, I enjoy lifting, trying new vegan restaurants, walking, hiking, and sleeping.