The focus of the my research encompasses understanding the biology of major protozoan pathogens with broad, global infectious disease impact, and also human immune responses to their infection/vaccination, focusing on two main areas: (1) Studying the molecular biology of trypanosomes including Trypanosoma brucei that causes Human African Trypanosomiasis (Slpeeing Sickness) and T. cruzi that causes Chagas disease, to understand potential therapeutic targets, using a combination of structural proteomics and genetics, and (2) characterization of immune responses and identification of protective antigens and antigen receptors that induce these responses following Plasmodium and Trypanosoma cruzi infection and vaccination, using multiomic, systems approaches.

In my teaching, training, and mentoring roles, I am aware that diverse students and team members learn in different ways and respond to different styles. I therefore aim to use a wide variety of student-centered, active, and inclusive teaching strategies that engage and present content in different ways, giving all opportunities to learn. I was introduced to these techniques as a University of Washington Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) fellow, during which time I was the instructor for a microbiology course for multiple majors at UW Bothell, where several students were majoring in media and communications in addition to science subjects. To engage this diverse audience, I used dramatic headlines as the basis for my lesson plans. I raised the social implications of research funding, and the global response to a pandemic, in addition to scientific content based upon molecular diagnosis of infection, and prevention via vaccines and genetic control of vector populations. I am now employing these same strategies in my capacity as an instructor in the Pathobiology graduate program at UW. In both the lab and classroom, I strive to provide an environment where all feel welcome, can participate, and are given the support they need to succeed in their short- and long-term project and career goals.

Suzanne McDermott, PhD