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Gillian Mbambo

Contact Information:

gmbambo@som.umaryland.edu


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.


Publications >