Dr Jaishree Raman

Country: South Africa

Institution: National Institute for Communicable Diseases

Research Areas: Antimalarial drug resistance and parasite relatedness

Lab Website: www.nicd.ac.za

The core research focus of our laboratory revolves around ensuring effective antimalarial drugs are in place. We assess the impact antimalarial drug pressure has on the spatial and temporal distribution of molecular markers associated with antimalarial drug resistance using a range of molecular techniques as well as conduct therapeutic drug efficacy trials. With South Africa attempting to eliminate malaria, our research sphere has expanded to include attempting to understand the relatedness between parasites circulating within South Africa and between South Africa and its neighbours to help inform targeted malaria elimination interventions. In addition, we are interested in understanding the limits of malaria exposure among individuals residing in the malaria endemic areas as well as immunity status among those exposed to malaria.