About
Mark F. Wiser is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease at Tulane University's Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. With over 35 years at Tulane since joining in 1989, he has established himself as a leading researcher in medical protozoology and the molecular biology of malaria parasites. His academic journey began with a BA in Biology from Franklin College of Indiana, followed by a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota, postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, and research faculty position at Yale University.
Dr. Wiser's research focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of protozoan parasites, particularly malaria. His major contributions include describing proteins synthesized by malaria parasites and exported to host cells, proposing a novel secretory pathway for protein targeting to host erythrocytes, and characterizing protein kinases and chaperones in malaria parasites. His recent work examines the digestive vacuole of malaria parasites, Type-P5 ATPases, WD40 domain proteins, and mechanisms of severe falciparum malaria.
His publication record remains active through 2025, with significant contributions to understanding malaria parasite biology, host-pathogen interactions, and potential therapeutic targets. Dr. Wiser has authored influential textbooks including 'Protozoa and Human Disease' and 'Biology for the Health Sciences, Mechanism of Disease,' reflecting his commitment to education.
- 2025: Duplication of a Type-P5B-ATPase in Laverania and avian malaria parasites
- 2024: The digestive vacuole of the malaria parasite: a specialized lysosome
- 2023: Knobs, Adhesion, and Severe Falciparum Malaria
- 2021: Unique Endomembrane Systems and Virulence in Pathogenic Protozoa
As an educator, Dr. Wiser teaches Medical Protozoology (TRMD 6070), Biological Basis of Disease (SPHU 3560), and coordinates the Infectious Disease Seminar (TRMD 7020). His teaching excellence has been recognized with Tulane University's Health Sciences Center Teaching Scholar Award (2002) and Excellence in Teaching Award (1999). His laboratory website at http://www.tulane.edu/~wiser/protozoology/ serves as a resource for students and colleagues in the field of medical protozoology.
