Nilda Rodriguez

Nilda Rodriguez served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa from 2012 to 2015. Her research focuses on understanding immune responses to parasitic infections, particularly Leishmania species. She investigates host-pathogen interactions, macrophage biology, and the molecular mechanisms enabling parasitic survival within host cells. Rodriguez's work explores topics such as phagocytosis dynamics, lipid body formation in infected macrophages, and sex-related differences in disease outcomes.

Her research highlights key pathways involved in Leishmania infection, including CR3 receptor-mediated phagocytosis, prostaglandin signaling, and caveolae-mediated entry mechanisms. Findings emphasize how parasites subvert host cellular processes to evade immune detection.

Rodriguez has contributed to over 14 peer-reviewed articles since 2000, with recent work focusing on Leishmania pathogenesis and immune evasion strategies. She has not been associated with any scientific awards listed in available records. No advising or grant information is provided in the current dataset. Her research is centered within the Biology department, though no specific laboratory or team affiliations are documented.