Malaria Research
Investigating innate immunity in the mosquito and mammalian hosts
Creating interventions to block disease and transmission
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Opportunities for Graduate, Undergraduate and Postdoctoral Training
Welcome to my lab
Researching Malaria over 25 Years.
My name is Shirley Luckhart. I’m Professor in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology and in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Idaho. I’m also Co-Director of the Institute for Health in the Human Ecosystem.
My work for the past 27 years has focused on malaria. In particular, we have studied malaria parasite development and transmission in laboratory models and transmission of human malaria parasites in the lab and under field conditions in endemic countries.
Currently, half of our work is focused on transmission biology in the mosquito host with the other half focused on host immunity and pathogenesis of malaria in model systems.
My lab is recognized internationally for expertise in the biology of the blood feeding interface – that is, how factors in mammalian host blood (drugs, cytokines, parasite factors) influence parasite development and transmission to the mosquito host.
Malaria Research
Investigating innate immunity in the mosquito and mammalian hosts
Malaria Interventions
Creating interventions to block disease and transmission
Latest news From Our lab
diversity, equality and inclusion
Training and Mentoring
Vector-borne diseases, like malaria, affect some of the most under-served, under-resourced and under-represented populations in the world.
Patterns of risk vary by gender, age and social determinants across racial, ethnic and cultural groups, many of which have increased risk and poorer outcomes due to little to no access to healthcare, disparities in quality of available healthcare, and poorly acknowledged risk by health care providers.
These facts necessitate study, engagement and capacity building by diverse individuals at all levels of training to bring the most inclusive spectrum of ideas and perspectives to bear on these challenging issues.
In this context, I am committed to supporting diverse, equitable and inclusive training and mentoring environments to promote global justice and a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for all.