I am a sophomore undergraduate studying Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry with a certificate in French. I was inspired to pursue research at YSPH due to my lifelong interest in microbial diseases. I am also passionate about global health and am constantly inspired by the work done by organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières. I was drawn to Dr. Amy Bei's laboratory due to her strong contributions to malaria vaccine development and ongoing research projects in Senegal.
EMD Student Spotlight series : Giselle Geering
Please tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to pursue research in the EMD Department at the Yale School of Public Health as a Yale college student?
What is the current focus of your research?
In Dr. Amy Bei's laboratory, I study malaria pathogenesis using translational systems biology. My focus is to investigate the structure and function of the PfRipr protein during erythrocyte invasion in order to provide a basis for improved malaria blood-stage vaccine design.
What are some of the most significant findings or innovations from your malaria research?
My mentor, microbiology PhD student Megha Nair and I worked on the Next Generation Sequencing of PfRipr from patient samples taken at six study sites in Kédougou, Senegal. Last summer, we were able to generate deep amplicon sequencing data for 81.5% of the samples. Genomic analysis of these data reveal important insights for a more comprehensive evaluation of parasite diversity across the African continent.
Which emerging trends or technologies in malaria research do you find most exciting?
Ever since reading a December 2023 paper in Nature from Dr. Matthew Higgins’s lab at the University of Oxford entitled "The PfRCR complex bridges malaria parasite and erythrocyte during invasion," I have been closely following efforts in the malaria research community to solve the structure of important Plasmodium proteins, such as the seemingly nebulous PfRipr.
The role that cryogenic-electron microscopy and new programs such as AlphaFold can play in structure determination is very exciting, and I can't wait to see what breakthroughs will emerge as a result of these technologies.
Where do you see the field of malaria research heading in the next few years, and what role do you hope your work will play in this future landscape?
I hope that global collaborations among research institutions continue to grow, despite current challenges. One of the things I admire most about working in Dr. Bei's lab is her commitment to a strong partnership with the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal. Collaboration is invaluable to research, especially in the field of microbial diseases. I hope that the future of malaria research is shaped by the achievements made through such partnerships, and I look forward to learning from our collaborators at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar this summer.
How has the EMD Department supported your research and academic goals?
The Bei Lab is a place where knowledge is shared, team members encourage others, and an atmosphere of growth and discovery is fostered. Dr. Bei and my mentor, Megha Nair, have been extremely supportive throughout my development as a researcher, providing opportunities for me to learn both inside and outside of the lab. I am proud to be a part of the malaria research community!