BEI LAB RESEARCH
Diversity, Transmission, Immunity
Our research interests in Plasmodium – the causative agent of malaria – lie at the intersection between population genetics, genomics, molecular genetics, epidemiology, and immunology. Current research uses a translational systems biology approach to study the impact of antigenic diversity on immune evasion, transmission, and virulence in setting of declining malaria transmission. We study the development of genotype-specific and genotype-transcendent immunity and assess the effect of specific persisting genotypes on neutralizing humoral immune responses and their transmission potential in the mosquito vector. We also works on malaria vaccine candidate discovery and validation, studying the functional consequences of naturally arising diversity. We have ongoing research projects in Senegal in addition to many active collaborations in East, Central, and West Africa.
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A few things we love
What is the Bei Lab all about? These are some of our areas of interest
Genomic Surveillance
Using genomic tools, we track specific parasite types in the population over time. We want to understand where specific types are coming from and where they are headed next.
Experimental Genetics
We use experimental genetic systems to specifically asess the function of naturally arrising polymorphisms in the parasite and the host cell.
Systems Biology
Malaria is a complex system! We study many of the many factors that contribute to virulence, transmission, and persistence and try to find causal links.
Methods Development
Our goal is to enhance high-impact science in LMIC settings. If we can do it here, we should be able to do it there! We love coming up with creative solutions to tackle the challenges of doing solid research in the field!
Featured Papers
Read about the work we are doing to understand host-pathogen-vector interactions
Ex vivo Phenotyping
Assessing the functional impact of vaccine-induced antibodies to PfRH5 on genetically diverse P. falciparum clinical isolates from the Senegal
Behind the Paper
Ever wondered just what it looks like doing amazing science in the field? Wonder no longer!
Serologic Surveillance
Novel mosquito salivary antigen biomarkers for assessing transmission and vector control intervention success
Genomic Surveillance
Structure-guided insights into potential function of novel genetic variants in the malaria vaccine candidate PfRh5
Functional Genetics
Leveraging genome editing to functionally evaluate Plasmodium diversity
Genomic Surveillance
Genomic surveillance reveals spatial and temporal trends in Plasmodium transmission
Functional Genetics
Specifically addressing naturally occuring diversity in parasite antigens and in human erythrocyte receptors
Genomic Surveillance
Tracking parasites in time and space using molecular surveillance techniques
Systems Biology
Considering multiple factors to understand the dynamics of Plasmodium populations in the field
Methods Development
Tracking parasites in time and space using molecular surveillance techniques
Papers Portfolio
Read about what the Bei Lab has been up to
Genomic Epidemiology
Structure-guided insights into potential function of novel genetic variants in the malaria vaccine candidate PfRh5
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Genomic Epidemiology
Genetic diversity in the Plasmodium falciparum next-generation blood stage vaccine candidate antigen PfCyRPA in Senegal
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Genomic Epidemiology
Genetic diversity of the malaria vaccine candidate PfRIPR in a high transmission region of Senegal
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Sero-Epidemiology
Two Mosquito Salivary Antigens Demonstrate Promise as Biomarkers of Recent Exposure to Plasmodium falciparum–Infected Mosquito Bites
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Sero-Epidemiology
Plasmodium infection is associated with cross-reactive antibodies to carbohydrate epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein
read moreGenomic Epidemiology
Plasmodium falciparum genomic surveillance reveals spatial and temporal trends, association of genetic and physical distance, and household clustering
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Functional Genetics – Plasmodium
Leveraging genome editing to functionally evaluate Plasmodium diversity
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Genomic Epidemiology
Dramatic Changes in Malaria Population Genetic Complexity in Dielmo and Ndiop, Senegal, Revealed Using Genomic SurveillanceDramatic Changes in Malaria Population Genetic Complexity in Dielmo and Ndiop, Senegal, Revealed Using Genomic Surveillance
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Functional Genetics – Plasmodium
Functional Analysis Reveals Geographical Variation in Inhibitory Immune Responses Against a Polymorphic Malaria AntigenFunctional Analysis Reveals Geographical Variation in Inhibitory Immune Responses Against a Polymorphic Malaria Antigen
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Functional Genetics – Human Erythrocyte
Basigin is a receptor essential for erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum.Basigin is a receptor essential for erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum.
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Methods Development
An Adjustable Gas-Mixing Device to Increase Feasibility of In Vitro Culture of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites in the Field
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Methods Development
In vitro genetic analysis of an erythrocyte determinant of malaria infection
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Functional Genetics – Human Erythrocyte
Ancient human sialic acid variant restricts an emerging zoonotic malaria parasite.
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Lab Preprints
As part of our mission to increase science access for all, we feel strongly about sharing our preprints while they are under peer-review. Here’s the latest from the team!
Anopheles mosquitoes exposed to long-acting antimalarials via drug-spiked bloodmeal absorb drug but do not suffer fitness costs.
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Genetic diversity in the Plasmodium falciparum next-generation blood stage vaccine candidate antigen PfCyRPA in Senegal
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High-throughput profiling of natural acquired humoral immune response to a large panel of known and novel full length ectodomain P. falciparum merozoite vaccine candidates under reduced malaria transmission
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Evaluating the potential of cross-species neutralization of anti-PfCyRPA and anti-PfRIPR Monoclonal Antibodies
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Genetic Diversity of the Malaria Vaccine Candidate PfRIPR in a High Transmission Region of Senegal
read moreOur Team
Our amazing team (with amazing artwork)
Amy Kristine Bei
Morgan Goheen
Alessandra Orfanó
Cyrianne Keutcha
Laty Gaye Thiam
Mariama Nicole Pouye
Awa Deme
Mouhamad Sy
Sarah Lapidus
Kelly Hagadorn
Natasha Turyasingura
Megha Nair
Aboubacar Ba
Mame Diarra Bousso
Giselle Geering
Heidi Wei
Marietou Ndiaye
Elon Atlaw
Gianna Thomas
Alyssa Agarwal
Manuel Perez
Ife Desamours
Mariama Toure
Seynabou Diouf Sene
Sophie Liu
Alioune Wade
Noemi Guerra
Fatoumata Diallo
Yome Fiseha Tawaldemedhen
Awa Cisse
Khadidiatou Mangou
Rebecca Li
Vanessa Nunez
Leeah Han
Awa Faye Thioub
Safia Laqqa
Alassane Mbengue
Alassane Thiam
THE ARTIST
If you like the artwork, check out Petra’s other amazing artistic endeavors – bringing science to life through art!
@petrathepostdoc
Our Team
Whether in New Haven, Senegal, or Chad our team of committed researchers are fighting against malaria!
Amy Kristine Bei
Associate Professor
G4 Group Leader
Jumping between amazing teams in the lab and field
Morgan Goheen
Infectious Disease Clinical Instructor
Yale School of Public Health & School of Medicine
Anopheles-Plasmodium interactions and novel surveillance methods to estimate malaria transmission
Alessandra da Silva Orfanó
Associate Research Scientist
Yale School of Public Health
Entomologist Extraordinaire!
Genomic determinants of Anopheles transmission
Laty Gaye Thiam
G4 co-leader, Research Associate
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Ex vivo virulence phenotypes and Crispr-Cas9 Genome editing
Mariama Nicole Pouye
GHES Postdoctoral Fellow
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Ex vivo and molecular markers of drug resistance
Cyrianne Keutcha
GHES Postdoctoral Fellow
Yale School of Public Health
The impact of diversity in blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens on biochemical and biophysical interactions
Kelly Hagadorn
PhD Student
Yale School of Public Health
Mechanisms of blood stage immunity and antimalarial molecular surveillance
Natasha Turyasingura
PhD Student
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic determinants of malaria pathogenesis
Megha Nair
PhD Student
Yale School of Public Health & School of Medicine
Pan-species malaria vaccines
Aboubacar Ba
PhD Student
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Selective pressures influencing diagnostic sensitivity
Mame Diarra Bousso Ba
PhD Student
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Tracking genetic diversity in PfRH5 over time
Marietou Ndiaye
MS Student
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Genetic diversity of PfARMA
Heidi Wei
MPH Student
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity and vaccine efficacy of PfRH5
Elon Atlaw
Yale College/MPH Student
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity and vaccines
Giselle Geering
Yale College Student
Yale School of Public Health
PfRipr diversity and the impact on immune evasion
Gianna Thomas
Yale College/MS Student
Yale School of Public Health
Impact of genetic diversity in the erythrocyte receptor BSG on merozoite invasion
Alyssa Agarwal
Yale College/MPH Student, Lab alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity and efficacy of blood stage vaccine candidates in clinical evaluation
Manuel Perez
Yale College/MPH Student, Lab alumnus
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity and genome editing in blood stage vaccine candidates
Peiqi Li
MPH Student, Lab alumna
2023-2025
Evaluating the potential for cross-species vaccine protection using transgenic chimerias
Don-Pedro Ume
MPH Student 2023-2025, Lab alumnus
Investigating a novel class of antimalarials
Sarah Lapidus
PhD Student, Lab alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Serological surveillance &
immunity to variant surface antigens
Ife Desamours
MS Student, Lab alumna
Yale School of Public Health & School of Medicine
Mosquitoes, Paratransgenesis, Vector Control
Rebecca Li
Yale College Student, Lab Alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Genomic diversity and experimental genetic approaches in vaccine candidate antigens
Noemi Guerra
Yale College Student, Lab Alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Function of CyRPA in Plasmodium invasion across species
Leeah Han
High School Summer Intern, Lab Alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Genomics and Malaria podcasting!
Awa Cisse
Yale College Student, Lab Alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity in Plasmodium falciparum transmission blocking vaccine candidates … and mosquitoes!
Awa Deme
GHES Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab alumna
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Studies genomic determinants of virulence gene expression
Mouhamad Sy
GHES Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab alumnus
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Spatiotemporal mapping of Plasmodium genotypes and next generation sequencing
Baba Dieye
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab alumnus
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Studies Plasmodium drug resistance and immunity
Aminata Mbaye Samb
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab almuna
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Studies Plasmodium drug resistance and genetics of virulence
Yaye Die Ndiaye
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab alumna
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Studies Plasmodium drug resistance and genetics of virulence
Mariama Toure
DPharm Student
Université Cheikh Anta Diop
Studies genetic diversity in the Pregnancy Associated Malaria vaccine candidate antigen Var2CSA
Alassane Mbengue
G4 co-leader, Lab Alumnus
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in malaria
Khadidiatou Mangou
Technician Extraordinaire, Lab Alumna
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Genetic Diversity and Ex Vivo Invasion Phenotypes
Seynabou Diouf Sene
Biologist
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Impact of Senegalese Kelch13 mutations on drug resistance
Fatoumata Diallo
PhD Student
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Antigenic variation in Plasmodium
Awa Faye Thiam
SUP Biotech Student, Lab Alumna
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Crispr-Cas9 genome editing in Plasmodium vaccine candidates
Mateo Balbarin
High School Summer Intern, Lab Alumnus
Wilbur Cross High School
Genomics to Experimental Genetics:
NGS, Bioinformatics, Crispr-Cas9
Duncan Ndugu Ndegwa
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab Alumnus
Yale School of Public Health
Experimental genetics, Invasion Biology, and vaccine candidate discovery
Vanessa Nunez
Yale College Summer Student, Lab Alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Genetic diversity and targets of inhibitory antibodies in PfCyRPA
Cy An
High School Summer Student, Lab Alumnus
Dubai American Academy
Crispr-Cas9 Cloning
Adam Moore
MPH Student 2019-2020, Lab alumnus
Yale School of Public Health
PfRh5 diversity and the impact on immune evasion
Pooja Rana
MPH Student 2019-2020, Lab alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Molecular genotyping for diversity and drug resistance in Tanzania
Tammy Chen
MPH Student 2018-2019, Lab alumna
Yale School of Public Health
Var2CSA diversity and the impact on Pregnancy Associated Malaria severity and immune evasion
You!
Postdoctoral Fellow, Student, etc.
The sky is the limit!
Testing, Reporting, & Action: Covid tracking in childCARE
Elissa Zirinsky
Infectious Disease Pediatric Clinical Fellow
SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance
TRACK-CARE Study Lead
Erica Rayack
RN/MPH Student
SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance
TRACK-CARE Study Team
Mahwish Askari
RN Student
SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance
TRACK-CARE Study Team
Spotlights & Profiles
Get a glimpse inside the incredible stories of our incredible students!
Giselle Geering
Yale Undergraduate and STARS Scholar
Natasha Turyasingura
EMD PhD Candidate
Laty Gaye Thiam
Postdoctoral fellow & Research Associate, Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Noemi Guerra
Yale Undergraduate, STARS Scholar, Kanders Scholar, Lab Alumna
Awa Cisse
Yale Undergraduate ,STARS Scholar, LUCE Scholar, Lab Alumna
Latest News
New G4 Group in Senegal focused on Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines
G4 Launch EnglishG4 Launch FrenchRIIP Report 2019-2020
Apply to be a GHES Fellow in Senegal
For those interested in joining our Senegal team, the 2026-2027 application cycle for the Global Health Equity Scholars (GHES) fellowship has officially opened! Application materials should be submitted online by October 1, 2024. Details about the program, eligibility information and the application can be found on the website at:
Check out the amazing Malaria podcast created by High School student Leeah Han!
Bite Back PodcastLINKING SCIENCE & SOCIETY
Using Art as a means of Science Communication
While conducting field research in Senegal, Laty Gaye Thiam and Alyssa Agarwal were thinking about ways to communicate science to diverse local communities in Kedougou. The result was a collaboration that merged art and science communication.
READ MORE
Malaria Art Gallery
The Artist
If you like the artwork, check out Alyssa’s other amazing artistic proejcts – using art to make science come alive!
Alyssa Agarwal’s Gallery
Photos from the Field
YSPH Public Health Practice Photo Awards and International Training
Alyssa Agarwal – MPH 2025 – Public Health Practice Photo Spotlight
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Yome Tawaldemedhen- MPH 2024 – Public Health Practice Photo Spotlight
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Advanced training strengthens disease surveillance in Chad
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CT Mirror Spotlight: Federal grants for Yale research on malaria were cut, but the work continues
read moreContact us
Get in touch and let us know what you think
Senegal, Chad, and Burkina Faso
Training
Resources and Shared Protocols from trainings past and present
Trainings Past and Present
We are working hard to develop tools and research solutions that can be implemented in the field. Part of this goal is participating in the training of talented young Malaria Researchers. Find out about some of the trainings we have organized and access useful protocols and resources
Molecular, serological, and genomic
surveillance for public health and verterinary medicine in a OneHealth
context
Antimicrobial Resistance: Integrated
Surveillance to serve Public Health in Chad
Multiplexed and Modular Malaria Genomic Surveillance for Public Health Impact: From Parasites to Policy
Yale School of Public Health
The lab is based within the vibrant and collaborative environment of the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at the Yale School of Public Health
READ MORESEE FOR YOURSELF!Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec, CHU Dakar, Senegal
We work together with our partners at University of Cheikh Anta Diop and Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec, including CEA-SAMEF (African Center of Excellence in Mother-Child Health) to address questions of malaria parasite ecology and adaptation in the face of changing transmission
READ MOREInstitut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal
Our G4 Group at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar is focused on strengthening cutting-edge molecular malaria research performed in Africa. We use experimental genetic tools to address the impact of parasite genetic diversity on vaccine efficacy.
READ MORE LIRE LA SUITERIIPCentre d’Excellence Africain pour la Sante de la Mere et de l’Enfant (CEA-SAMEF)
As part of the African Centers of Excellence initiative, we work on research and training aimed at improving the health of mothers and children in Senegal and Sub-Saharan Africa
READ MOREYIGH Network – Yale Against Malaria (YAM)
Faculty across Yale University are collaborating to exchange ideas and develop multidisciplinary solutions to combat malaria, a disease that claims an estimated one life every minute. The faculty network includes researchers working on almost every aspect of malaria, from the mosquito to the environment to the human host to drugs and vaccines. The network was started by the Yale Institute for Global Health and includes partnerships across the globe.
READ MOREMalarYale VideoMALARIA RESEARCH AT YALE
Beyond the Bei Lab – Yale is a vibrant community united to combat malaria! Read about the work we are doing – across the university!
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