Skip to Main Content

INFORMATION FOR

Diane McMahon-Pratt, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Public Health; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

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 Fellow
    Harvard Medical School (1980)
  • PhD
    Harvard University, Immunology (1978)
  • BS
    University of Southern California, Chemistry (1969)

Honors & Recognition

AwardAwarding OrganizationDate
Elected Member Connecticut Academy of Science and EngineeringConnecticut Academy of Science and Engineering2016
Burroughs-Welccome Lecturer, NIH Laboratory of Parasitic Diseasea1994
Bailey K. Ashford Medal, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene1993
Councilor, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene1993, 1997
Organizer, Gordon Conference on Biological Aspects of Parasitism1991, 1993

Professional Service

OrganizationRoleDate
World LEISH 6International meeting on leishmaniasis - Organizing Committee2015 - 2017
International Health Committee2009 - 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 Committee2004 - 2005
WHO/T.D.R. Review of Leishmaniasis Program2004 - Present
NIH - Microbiology and Infectious Disease Research Study Section Member2001 - 2005
Member, Program Committee, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene2001 - 2015
Yale University School of Medicine: Senior Faculty Allotment Committee2001 - 2004
Review Panel, Howard Hughes, International Infectious Disease Program2000
Appointments and Promotions Committee, Yale University School of Medicine1998 - 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.CCoordinator1991 - 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 Parasitology1988 - 1992
International Health Committee (Downs Fellowship)1988 - 1994
Provost’s Appointments and Promotions Committee of EPH

Departments & Organizations