This summer, Michael is interning with the Wirth Lab, supporting their research on the malaria parasite and how it can evade drug or immune pressure. The Wirth Lab uses population genomic and functional approaches to identify and validate genetic variants associated with important clinical phenotypes, including drug resistance and immune evasion. Once validated, they convert these variants into genotyping assays to assess their frequency and distribution in natural parasite populations. To understand the mechanisms of drug resistance, they culture-adapt parasites and test their response to existing and novel drugs. They also work with collaborators in Senegal to assess changing parasite responses to artemisinin-based compounds and partner drugs. Finally, they create tools to identify and track parasites in order to better understand how vaccine and drug interventions reduce transmission.
