Dr. GIOVANNA CARPIAssistant Professor
Associated website(s): |
|
BIO
My research occurs at the interface of genomics, microbiology and ecology as applied to the study of vector-borne disease transmission dynamics, including tropical diseases such as malaria. I use genomic sequencing and computational genomic approaches to investigate how vector-borne diseases spread (genomic epidemiology) and pathogens evolve as they adapt between and within hosts (experimental evolution). I am also interested in characterizing microbes associated with mosquitoes (metagenomics) which can impact mosquito susceptibility to infections by parasites like
Plasmodium falciparum
, and therefore transmission outcome.
By studying malaria parasite population diversity, evolution and parasite-microbe interactions, and using a combination of field observation and laboratory experimentation, my research seeks to provide a better understating of evolutionary and ecological determinants that sustain malaria transmission in endemic Africa countries. This in turn will aid the evaluation and the design of targeted interventions and potentially guide the identification for novel biocontrol strategies for malaria and other vector-borne diseases.
Education
D.V.M., University of Bologna, 2003
Ph.D., University of Turin, 2010
Honors and Awards
Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2016-2018
Gaylord Donnelley Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University, 2013-2015
Marie Curie FP7/Cofund Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2010-2012
EDEN Project/FP6 Pre-doctoral Fellowship, 2007-2010