Jacquin C. Niles

Jacquin C. Niles is the Whitaker Professor in Biomedical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he holds a joint appointment in the Department of Biological Engineering. He serves as Director of the MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences and is an Associate Member of the Broad Institute. As an HHMI-Gates Faculty Scholar, Dr. Niles leads a research program focused on developing molecular tools to combat infectious diseases, particularly malaria.

Education:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• M.D., Harvard Medical School
• Ph.D. in Molecular Toxicology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Postdoctoral training, Department of Chemistry, UC Berkeley (Michael Marletta's lab)

Dr. Niles' research program centers on developing innovative molecular tools to address critical questions in infectious disease biology, with a specific focus on malaria and Plasmodium falciparum. His lab emphasizes creating a versatile molecular toolkit for controlling gene expression and protein function in malaria parasites, which enables the elucidation of parasite gene function. This work integrates expertise across biomolecular engineering, chemical biology, synthetic biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology to develop solutions applicable across various pathogens and model organisms.

Analysis of Dr. Niles' recent publications reveals a consistent focus on developing and applying novel molecular technologies to malaria research. His work spans CRISPR-based genome editing, RNA-protein interaction systems for gene regulation, biosensor development for heme and zinc metabolism, and microfluidic approaches for malaria diagnostics. These publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental tool development to increasingly sophisticated applications in parasite biology and host-pathogen interactions.

Scientific Awards:

• HHMI-Gates Faculty Scholar

Dr. Niles has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates through the Niles Laboratory. His former students have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and medicine. His research program has been supported by various grants that enable the development of novel molecular approaches to studying and combating malaria. The lab consists of a multidisciplinary team of Biological Engineers, Chemists, and Microbiologists working collaboratively to address challenges in infectious disease research.

The Niles Laboratory, located at MIT, serves as a hub for innovative research at the intersection of engineering and infectious disease biology. The lab's collaborative environment fosters the development of new technologies that have applications beyond malaria research, contributing to broader advances in molecular biology and biomedical engineering.