Simon Babayan

Dr. Simon Babayan is a Reader at the University of Glasgow specializing in host-parasite interactions and pathogenesis. His research focuses on protective immunity mechanisms, immune system integration of natural variation, and vaccine development for infectious diseases. He bridges parasitology, immunology, ecology, and computational biology to study helminth immunity, malaria vector biology, and filarial worm pathogenesis.

• Affiliations: University of Glasgow (Graham Kerr Building), Reader in Host-Parasite Interactions
• Research Groups: Infectious Disease Ecology

Research Interests: Dr. Babayan investigates how immune responses shape parasite fitness, wild immunology, and nature-proof vaccine design. He combines lab-based and field studies to analyze immune responses across molecular, organismal, and population levels. Key areas include:

• Helminth immune evasion and protective efficacy
• Age, nutrition, and coinfection effects on immunity
• Filarial vaccine development targeting immune modulators

Techniques: Integrates mid-infrared spectroscopy, machine learning for malaria diagnostics, and genomic analysis to advance vector surveillance and disease control.

Grants & Projects:

• BBSRC-funded work on aquaculture biofouling and gill disease
• Gates Foundation grants for malaria surveillance via AI/mid-IR spectroscopy
• NERC projects on wildlife immunity and pathogen transmission