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INFORMATION FOR

Sunil Parikh, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) and of Infectious Diseases

Research Summary

Dr. Parikh focuses upon several aspects of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, including studies focused on optimizing treatment regimens, novel chemoprevention strategies, drug resistance emergence and spread, and parasite dynamics. Current projects include: (1) understanding host factors affecting response to artemisinin-based antimalarial therapies using a combination of individual and population-based pharmacologic approaches to inform treatment guidelines (Uganda and Burkina Faso); 2) novel use of a endectocides to reduce malaria transmission (Burkina Faso); and 3) characterizing the epidemiology of antimalarial drug resistance and non-falciparum species in sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso and Cameroon). Dr. Parikh has ongoing projects in several African countries, which span observational, interventional, and cross-sectional designs.

Specialized Terms: Translation research in malaria; Pharmacology of antimalarials; HIV-malaria co-infection; Host response to malaria infection; Innate immunity to malaria

Extensive Research Description

1) Antimalarial Therapy in the context of pregnancy, growth/development, and HIV co-infection in Uganda

Major Goal: To assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of artemisinin-combination therapies and their impact upon efficacy and drug resistance in vulnerable populations. We are conducting a randomized controlled trial of two different antimalarial regimens in children with and without HIV in Uganda.

2) Use of novel approaches to preventing malaria in Burkina Faso

Major Goal: We are conducting a cluster-randomized trial of a novel chemopreventive approach in Burkina Faso

3) Studying parasite dynamics and the emergence and spread of drug resistance in parasites in Burkina Faso

4) Characterizing the epidemiology of non-falciparum species in Cameroon and Uganda.

5) COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in Connecticut

Coauthors

Research Interests

Africa; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Developing Countries; Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Malaria; Parasitic Diseases; Public Health; Uganda; Global Health; Infectious Disease Medicine

Public Health Interests

Clinical Trials; Epidemiology Methods; Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics; Global Health; Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Malaria; Maternal & Child Health; Parasitology; Reproduction; Child/Adolescent Health; COVID-19

Selected Publications