Research expertise

Bio

Maria Luísa Simões (she/her) joined ITM as Associate Professor in 2023. She was previously Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) and Faculty Research Associate at Johns Hopkins University (USA). She graduated in 2014 with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal; Imperial College London, UK). Maria Luisa is the Chair-elect for the American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME) and member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) scientific program committee. She is the recipient of the 2022 Breakthrough in Medical Entomology Award (ACME) and the 2019 ASTMH Young Investigator Award. 

Research focus

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites that are vectored to humans by the bite of Anopheles female mosquitoes, remains a life-threatening disease. Current control methods are insufficient and novel technologies are needed. Recent advances in Anopheles functional genomics and transgenesis resulted in the development of new transmission-blocking strategies against malaria, namely the engineering of genetically modified mosquitoes with decreased vectorial capacity. Mosquitoes rely on their innate immune responses to fight infections with several pathogens, including malaria parasites, and the Anopheles innate immune system has been a primary target for genetic modification. Research in the Simões Laboratory centers on understanding how biotic and abiotic stressors, such as pathogens and environmental factors, shape the Anopheles immunity, with consequences for malaria transmission. Our Lab aims at identifying new transmission-blocking targets for the development of novel malaria control genetic technologies.

Our Lab in the press:

L'Avenir: https://www.lavenir.net/actu/societe/2025/02/22/a-anvers-on-manipule-les-moustiques-genetiquement-pour-lutter-contre-malaria-7LMRSY6K5JDPJN3TQVCFZGRIAY/

El Pais: https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2024-08-20/la-ciencia-avanza-lentamente-en-la-revolucion-de-los-mosquitos-transgenicos-para-acabar-con-la-malaria.html

Nature: How genetically modified mosquitoes could eradicate malaria 

Join the Lab:

Motivated individuals with strong molecular, parasitology and/or vector biology backgrounds can contact the PI, Maria Luísa Simões ([email protected]) to discuss prospective funding applications.