Isabelle Coppens

Isabelle Coppens is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a key affiliate of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. Her research focuses on intracellular apicomplexan parasites, particularly Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium, with a focus on host-pathogen interactions, nutrient scavenging, and organelle hijacking.

Her research interests include:

• Host cell-parasite interactions
• Parasitophorous vacuole dynamics
• Lipid and cholesterol metabolism in parasites
• Nutrient uptake mechanisms
• Cell biology of apicomplexan pathogens
• Drug targeting strategies

Her recent publications highlight a strong focus on how Toxoplasma and Plasmodium manipulate host cell processes, including autophagy, endocytic pathways, and lipid droplets. Her work integrates molecular microbiology, cell biology, and metabolic studies to uncover vulnerabilities in parasite biology that can be exploited therapeutically. A recurring theme across her research is the hijacking of host organelles and vesicles, particularly through Rab-mediated trafficking.

Scientific awards received include:

• Faculty Innovation Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health (2004)
• European Community Postdoctoral Research Award (1995)
• Prize from the French Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Foundation (1992)
• Prize from the Belgian Royal Academy of Sciences (1990)
• Multiple awards from the University of Louvain and National Funds for Scientific Research (1987–1989)
• WHO and Institute for Scientific Research scholarships (1983, 1986)

She leads an active research laboratory, the Coppens Lab, which investigates fundamental mechanisms of parasitism with implications for drug development. Her lab has secured sustained research output, with publications in high-impact journals such as Nature, PLoS Biology, Cell, and Nature Microbiology. She has mentored numerous researchers and collaborators, though specific student names are not listed in the provided text. Her work continues to advance understanding of apicomplexan biology and host subversion mechanisms.