Franck Dumetz

Franck Dumetz is a Researcher at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. His work bridges parasitology, RNA biology, and genomics, focusing on protozoan pathogens like Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum.

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences (University of Antwerp - Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium, 2018)
• M.Sc in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France, 2012)
• B.Sc in Biology (Institut Catholique de Lille, France, 2010)

His research explores genome plasticity, RNA structure, and drug resistance in tropical parasites. He pioneered studies on G-quadruplex RNA motifs in P. falciparum and aneuploidy modulation in L. donovani.

Recent publications highlight his work on spliced-leader sequencing, karyotype instability, and telomeric amplification in Leishmania, alongside RNA structurome analysis in malaria parasites. Themes span RNA biology, evolutionary genomics, and OneHealth approaches.

• 2020 Cambridge University Professional Services Recognition Scheme
• 2018 Belgian Royal Academy for Over Sea Science Laureate
• 2017 Zoetis Travel Award

Dumetz serves on the ASTMH Membership Committee (2022-present), reviews for journals like Pathogens, and volunteers for scientific outreach. He co-founded an open-access spliced-leader database and teaches parasitology and RNA processing at the University of Maryland.