Department of Infectious Diseases
Associate Research Scientist, Rada Lab
Expertise
Animal Models of Human Disease | Bacteriology | Cell Culture | Disease Pathogenesis | Disease Physiology | Epidemiology | Immunology | Infectious Diseases | Microbiology | Parasitology | Virology
Biography
I was born in Senegal where I grew up and experienced several severe malaria episodes. I decided to dedicate my life to infectious diseases. After my 4 years of college in biology, I applied to graduate school and spent 3 years at the French Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement in Dakar, Capital of Senegal. I diagnosed schistosomiasis infection in school children and treated kids with Praziquantel. In 2000, I started my PhD program at the Institut Pasteur of Dakar and University Cheikh Anta Diop. I attended several international workshops and networked with faculties. After my Ph.D., I landed to the University of Georgia where I spent 5 years as Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Laboratory of Professor Julie M. Moore. I was then promoted Assistant Research Scientist since 2012 and now I am working with Dr. Balazs Rada in innate immunity to influenza, cystic fibrosis, and malaria using mouse models.
Research Interests
My research interests are in innate immunity and immunopathoegensis of malaria and influenza using in vivo mouse models, ex vivo, and in vitro studies. I am also interested in establishing a mouse model of cystic fibrosis with the goal of investigating the mechanistic role of neutrophils in cystic fibrosis.
Selected Publications
