Dr. Schmidt’s research is focused on malaria, which is a parasitic disease caused by infection with Plasmodium species. Dr. Schmidt is interested in defining the factors that impact the pathogenesis of this disease and identifying novel approaches to prevent children from dying from malaria. One of the observations made by Dr. Schmidt’s research program was that the composition of bacteria residing within the intestinal tract can profoundly impact the severity of malaria. The influence of gut microbiota on malaria remains a central focus of his research interests.
Research in Dr. Schmidt’s laboratory is interested in understanding the factors that influence the severity of malaria.
- Research over the last decade has provided revolutionary insight into the influence of the gut microbiome on many facets of host physiology, including host immunity.
- The host immune system plays a vital role in the control and clearance of Plasmodium infections
