James Collins

James Collins is a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He received his BS in Biology from Southeast Missouri State University (2003) and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis (2008), followed by postdoctoral work with Phillip Newmark at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on the biology of parasitic flatworms, particularly Schistosoma mansoni, a causative agent of schistosomiasis affecting over 200 million people globally.

• BS: Biology, Southeast Missouri State University (2003)
• PhD: Washington University in St. Louis (2008)

Collins’ lab develops molecular tools to study schistosome stem cells and reproductive biology, aiming to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities. Research areas include tegumental biology, non-ribosomal peptide signaling, and functional genomics. His publications highlight advancements in single-cell transcriptomics, RNAi screening, and parasite-specific molecular pathways.

Recent publications include studies on:

• 2024: Krüppel-like factors in tegumental maintenance
• 2024: Horizontal gene transfer in schistosomes
• 2023: Drug discovery strategies for schistosomiasis
• 2022: Pheromone-driven sexual development
• 2021: Nuclear receptors in parasite gland function

Collins’ work has been featured in Science, Cell, and eLife. He actively collaborates with global institutions and provides training opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral researchers.