Vicki Jeffers

Vicki Jeffers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, within the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. Her research focuses on understanding how the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii regulates gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, particularly through bromodomain proteins. This work aims to uncover novel drug targets for treating chronic infections.

Dr. Jeffers holds a Doctorate (D) from Heidelberg College. Her research interests span antimicrobials, drug discovery, molecular biology, and parasitology. She teaches courses including BMS 655: Human and Animal Parasites and BMS/MICR 735/835: Molecular Cellular Parasitology.

Her lab employs genomic, proteomic, and cellular biology approaches to study how bromodomain proteins regulate transcriptional machinery in Toxoplasma. Recent work highlights investigations into histone modifications and their roles in parasite development and pathogenesis. Key findings include insights into metabolic manipulation by the parasite and mechanisms of gene silencing.

Dr. Jeffers has no listed scientific awards but has contributed to over a decade of impactful publications (2012–2024). She advises doctoral students through courses like MCBS 999: Doctoral Research and leads the Jeffers Lab, fostering collaborative research on epigenetic control in parasitic diseases.