Presenters:
- Dr Shazia Ruybal-Pesantez, Postdoctoral Scientist, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Burnet InstituteDr Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez is a Postdoctoral Scientist working in the laboratories of Professor Ivo Mueller and Professor Leanne Robinson in the Population Health and Immunity Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Vector-borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health Group at Burnet Institute and an Honorary Fellow at the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute at the University of Melbourne. Shazia is a genetic epidemiologist with expertise in population genetics, epidemiology, and combining these approaches to monitor and evaluate population-based field studies. She completed her PhD in the laboratory of Professor Karen Day at the University of Melbourne, examining the role that Plasmodium falciparum parasite diversity plays in sustaining the reservoir of infection in asymptomatic carriers of all ages in high transmission African settings. In her current role, Shazia is involved in the design and implementation of field epidemiology studies to better understand host and parasite factors that contribute to sustaining malaria transmission despite intensified control efforts. She works closely with endemic country partners to support in-country capacity building and strengthen control and elimination efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.