Anneli Cooper

Dr. Anneli Cooper is a Researcher in the Host-Parasite Interactions & Pathogenesis group at the University of Glasgow. Her work focuses on understanding the co-evolutionary dynamics between African trypanosome parasites (e.g., Trypanosoma brucei) and their mammalian hosts, particularly investigating molecular genetics underlying parasite infectivity and host immune responses. She has contributed to studies on APOL1 gene variants' dual roles in kidney disease and trypanosome resistance, as well as the role of IL-17 signaling in parasite burden regulation. Her research also explores diagnostic tools like Raman spectroscopy for Human African Trypanosomiasis and the role of skin reservoirs in parasite persistence.

Key grants include Wellcome Trust funding for spatially-resolved studies on APOL1-mediated kidney disease (2025–2027) and parasite street science initiatives (2022–2023). Cooper’s interdisciplinary work bridges genetics, immunology, and clinical diagnostics, with a focus on vector-borne diseases and their global health implications.

Her publications highlight collaborations on topics such as trypanosome flagellar biology, γδ T cell immunology, and the genetic basis of disease severity in myotonic dystrophy type 1. She is affiliated with the Henry Wellcome Building in Glasgow and maintains an active ORCID profile (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1159-142X).