Eugenia Lo

Eugenia Lo, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. Her research focuses on molecular epidemiology, parasite genomics, and host-parasite interactions, particularly in malaria (Plasmodium species). Her work addresses global health challenges, including malaria transmission dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa and mechanisms of parasite adaptation to Duffy-negative hosts.

Educations:

• PhD - Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
• BS - Environmental Science, University of Hong Kong
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University

Research Interests: Dr. Lo’s lab investigates the genetic basis of malaria parasite invasion, particularly how Plasmodium vivax adapts to Duffy-negative populations in Africa. Key areas include molecular epidemiology, parasite genomics, and the development of genomic tools for malaria surveillance. Her work integrates field-based epidemiological data with molecular biology and 'omics approaches to study transmission patterns and control strategies.

Scientific Awards:

• COLC Travel Award, University of California Irvine (2017)
• Travel Award, Symposium on Phylogenomics (2014)
• Evolution Conference Travel Award, Society of Systematic Biology (2014)

Advising & Grants: Dr. Lo mentors postdoctoral fellows (Cheikh Cambel Dieng, Bernis Yengo), graduate students (Kareen Pestana, Beka Abagero, Tassew Shenkutie), and undergraduate researchers (Canelle Kipayko). Her grants support studies on malaria genomics, vaccine efficacy, and diagnostic tool development in high-burden regions.

Labs/Teams: The Lo Lab at Drexel collaborates globally on malaria research, with fieldwork in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Myanmar. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach combines evolutionary biology, genomics, and public health to combat malaria transmission.