PRR Project

Summary

Global health is constantly challenged by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, becoming more vulnerable to climate change and the impact of a growing human population. Vector-borne diseases (VBD) represent a global threat to the human health. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the human population is at risk of contracting one or more VBD, which are responsible for 17% of all communicable diseases causing more than 700,000 deaths every year. Among the VBD, malaria pays the heaviest toll and was responsible in 2022 for 608,000 deaths, mostly in children under the age of five. Overall, the propagation of VBD, including malaria, represents a global concern. Additionally, some of the VBD are also zoonosis (e.g., malaria and leishmaniasis). Indeed, visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, where dogs are the main reservoir. Protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium , responsible for malaria, or Leishmania , responsible for leishmaniasis, co-evolved with humans and successfully overcome host immune defenses. Understanding how to leverage the host immunological system to combat pathogens effectively is key to comprehend the factors underlying infections, thereby paving the way for the development and economic valorization of more targeted and efficient control measures, including vaccines. Given the importance of this research area for human health and the missions of i3S and FFUP, this position is a unique opportunity to strengthen the FFUP-i3S inter-institutional collaborations by providing professional stabilization of outstanding researchers involved in FFUP academic activities.The selected candidate will pursue a research program to strengthen knowledge of the modulation of the immune system by vector-borne protozoan parasites including Plasmodium and Leishmania , particularly in the discovery and development of new vaccination strategies. Developing the above-mentioned research activities is only possible with the access to i3S specialized infrastructure. Noteworthy, an AAALAC-certified animal facility, including biosafety levels 2 and 3, equipped with state-of-art technology for mice imaging, conditions to infect and maintain Anopheles mosquitoes, cytometry facilities equipped with analysers and cell sorters, advanced microscopy, protein and genomics facilities.The selected candidate will develop the research activities at i3S, integrated in the Infection, Immunity and Regeneration (IIR) Program. One of the missions of the program is to conduct ground-breaking fundamental and translation research aimed at comprehending and addressing how pathogens interact with the host immunological system, in order to develop new solutions to combat infection.In the context of the new 2nd cycle of studies, the Master´s Degree in Health Microbiology, scheduled for implementation at FFUP in 2025, the selected candidate will in strengthen and innovate teaching methods associated with solid research advancements in microbiology, including immunology and parasitology. Moreover, these will also support existing study cycles such as the Master´s Degree in Clinical Analysis and the 3rd cycle in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The selected candidate must also be willing to contribute to i3S and FFUP training missions, by supporting advanced training and participating in PhD programs.The selected candidate must hold a PhD in Health/Life Sciences, or related areas for more than 5 years, an excellent scientific track record, and is expected to pursue highly innovative research projects in frame of the IIR Integrative Program at i3S. The selected candidate must also be experienced in the teaching of Immunology and Parasitology curricular units, supervision of Master students and PhDs in these areas and which were conducted preferentially within the context of international collaborations. The selected candidate is also expected to carry out duties to which he/she has been elected or appointed in i3S and FFUP collegiate bodies. Engagement into the i3S and FFUP outreach activities is also expected.