Franklin R. Toapanta Yanchapaxi

Dr. Franklin R. Toapanta Yanchapaxi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. A vaccine immunologist and microbiologist, his research focuses on translational studies of host-pathogen interactions for vaccine design against enteric pathogens like Salmonella Typhi and Shigella flexneri.

• MD from Universidad Central del Ecuador School of Medicine (1998)
• PhD from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2006)
• Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research (2006-2009)
• Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development (2009-2011)

His work employs clinical specimens and advanced techniques like flow cytometry and CyTOF to analyze systemic and mucosal immunity in humans, with a focus on identifying correlates of protection for novel vaccine development. He also investigates B cell dysfunction in infants and the elderly to enhance vaccine efficacy in these vulnerable populations.

Published research spans vaccine adjuvant optimization (C3d adjuvant), mathematical modeling of immune dynamics, and characterization of immune responses in extremes of age. Collaborations include studies on Shigella vaccine candidates and gut microbiota interactions during infection.

Dr. Toapanta’s laboratory works with non-human primate models to explore lamina propria mononuclear cells and mesenteric lymph node responses, bridging preclinical and clinical research. His methodologies integrate multi-color cytometry, computational biology, and translational human challenge studies.