Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax in Ethiopia in varying Duffy Phenotypes - Project Summary This is an application for a F31 Fellowship for Lauren Bradley, a PhD student trainee under the sponsorship of Dr. Guiyun Yan, Professor of Public Health at the University of California Irvine, and co-sponsorship of Dr. Christopher King, Professor of Global Health at Case Western Reserve University. The overall goal of this fellowship is to seek support for Miss Bradley to conduct PhD thesis research in malaria epidemiology, and cultivate her scientific skills to become an independent researcher in the field of global health. The specific objectives include: 1) Designing epidemiological studies and conducting molecular population genetic analysis to test hypotheses related to Plasmodium vivax malaria infections in Duffy-negative human residents in rural Africa; 2) Develop competency in epidemiology and bioinformatics to analyze large sets of genomic data; 3) Gain leadership and professional skills necessary to develop a career in global health and lead diverse and interdisciplinary research teams. Plasmodium vivax malaria is the most geographically widespread human malaria, and is responsible for tremendous human suffering and reduction in economic productivity. Africans or people with African ancestry are thought to be protected from P. vivax infection because their lack of Duffy antigen expression on the surface of the erythrocytes renders P. vivax parasites unable to invade the erythrocytes. Interestingly, recent studies reported P. vivax infections in Duffy-negative Africans. Therefore, the scientific objective of this F31 application will focus on molecular epidemiology and population genetics of P. vivax malaria in Africa. In Aim 1, Miss Bradley will use cross-sectional surveys, a longitudinal cohort study, and passive case surveillance to examine the relationship between malaria exposure, Duffy genotypes and malaria burden in vivax endemic Ethiopia. In Aim 2, she will conduct population genetic and bioinformatic analyses of P. vivax from Duffy-negative and Duffy-positive individuals through microsatellite genotyping and amplicon next-generation sequencing. This research will significantly improve the understanding of the mechanisms for the spread and transmission of vivax malaria in Africa, and provide important baseline data to monitor changes over time in vivax malaria prevalence and incidence that result from control measures or environmental changes in understudied African regions of Ethiopia. Through this proposed research and training, Miss Bradley will gain skills in epidemiology, population genetics and bioinformatics, and develop professional and leadership skills necessary to prepare her for a career in global health and infectious disease research. This project is leveraged on the malaria surveillance system, infrastructure, data management established by a NIH supported malaria center grant, to ensure the success of the proposed research and training plan.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).