Francis Ntumngia, PhD, MSc

Associate Professor, Department of Global, Environmental, and Genomic Health Sciences

Concentration Lead, Global Infectious Diseases

Contact Info

• Office: IDRB 304
• Academic Email: fntumngi@usf.edu
• Academic Phone: (813) 974-6976
• View My C.V.

Education

Discipline

Molecular and Cell Biology Infectious Diseases

Specialization

• Malaria Vaccines

Biography

Francis B. Ntumngia, PhD joined the University of South Florida College of Public Health’s Global Infectious Disease Research Program in June 2007 as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, after one year of postdoctoral research at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Tubingen, in 2005, MSc in Zoology (Cellular Parasitology) from University of Ibadan in 1999 and BSc in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University. His research focus is host-parasite interaction with particular interest in malaria vaccine development. Our vaccine studies target ligands used by the malaria parasite to recognize and invade host cells. These studies provide the capacity for experimental research approaches to understand the ligand-receptor interactions that are essential for the parasite. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of erythrocyte invasion and the role of these ligands in the complex invasion process is critical for vaccine design. Our research strategy leverages naturally acquired protective immunity to inform vaccine design, aiming to direct immune response towards conserved neutralizing epitopes that are vital for the parasite’s function. Additionally, he is interested in evaluating different immunization strategies to boost vaccine efficacy and understanding the immune mechanisms and cellular processes associated with the development of long-term protective immunity to guide vaccine design and delivery.