Diane McMahon-Pratt, PhD
Biography
Research & Publications
News
Appointments
Biography
The research in Professor McMahon-Pratt's laboratory is concerned with the parasitic protozoan, Leishmania, which causes a spectrum of diseases known as leishmaniasis. The laboratory is interested in understanding the immune effector mechanisms in the mammalian host that are involved in the control of infection and/or pathogenesis, with the aim to developing a vaccine against leishmaniasis. The laboratory has defined target vaccine candidate molecules and is collaborating with the University of Iowa and Cambridge University in a project directed toward the development of a multi-subunit vaccine. In addition, we have collaborated with Dr. Tarek Fahmy (Yale Bioengineering) in the development of nanoparticle therapeutic treatment delivery system for leishmaniasis. In other studies, the laboratory also collaborates Drs. Al Bothwell and Eddie Chae (Immunobiology) investigating the role of DKK-1 in the regulation of the innate and T cell responses to Leishmania infection. We have long-term collaboration with scientists in Colombia. Currently, Professor McMahon-Pratt is director of NIAID R01 and Fogarty (NIH)-sponsored Programs with Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas (CIDEIM) in Colombia. These programs are focused on understanding the pathology of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia), which predominates in South America, with the objective of designing immunological approaches for treatment and control.
Education & Training
- Post-Doctoral FellowHarvard Medical School (1980)
- PhDHarvard University, Immunology (1978)
- BSUniversity of Southern California, Chemistry (1969)
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Elected Member Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering | Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering | 2016 |
Burroughs-Welccome Lecturer, NIH Laboratory of Parasitic Diseasea | 1994 | |
Bailey K. Ashford Medal, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 1993 | |
Councilor, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 1993, 1997 | |
Organizer, Gordon Conference on Biological Aspects of Parasitism | 1991, 1993 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
World LEISH 6 | International meeting on leishmaniasis - Organizing Committee | 2015 - 2017 |
International Health Committee | 2009 - 2011 | |
Co-Organizer, International Conference on post-genomic research strategies for the development of vaccines and drugs against leishmaniasis. | Co-organizer (with Drs. J. Blackwell (Cambridge University), Paul Kaye (University of York) and Mary Wilson (University of Iowa)). International Conference on post-genomic research strategies for the development of vaccines and drugs against leishmaniasis. Cotswalds, England. September, 2007. | 2006 - 2007 |
WorldLeish3 –Italy, April, 2005: Organizing Committee | 2004 - 2005 | |
WHO/T.D.R. Review of Leishmaniasis Program | 2004 - Present | |
NIH - Microbiology and Infectious Disease Research Study Section Member | 2001 - 2005 | |
Member, Program Committee, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 2001 - 2015 | |
Yale University School of Medicine: Senior Faculty Allotment Committee | 2001 - 2004 | |
Review Panel, Howard Hughes, International Infectious Disease Program | 2000 | |
Appointments and Promotions Committee, Yale University School of Medicine | 1998 - 2000 | |
Organizer, W.H.O. Workshop, December 1993, Identification and diagnosis of Leishmania species. Cali, Colombia. | 1992 - 1993 | |
World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization, Workshop Organizer. Washington, D.C | Coordinator | 1991 - 1992 |
Served as a reviewer for grant applications to the National Science Foundation, Canadian Research Foundation, Veterans Administration and World Health Organization and US Army Research, Wellcome Trust (England) | 1990 - Present | |
NIH Study Section member - Tropical Medicine and Parasitology | 1988 - 1992 | |
International Health Committee (Downs Fellowship) | 1988 - 1994 | |
Provost’s Appointments and Promotions Committee of EPH |
Departments & Organizations
- Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
- Global Health Studies
- Yale Institute for Global Health
- Yale School of Public Health
- Yale Ventures
- YSPH Global Health Concentration