Shannon Takala Harrison

Dr. Shannon Takala Harrison is Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she serves as Associate Director for CARTI Training Tracks and heads the Genomic Epidemiology Unit within the Malaria Research Program. Her research deciphers molecular mechanisms of malaria parasite evolution and transmission.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (2006)
• B.S. in Zoology, Brigham Young University (1999)

Her NIH-supported program investigates genetic determinants of antimalarial drug resistance, parasite population genomics, and molecular epidemiology of malaria. Seminal work identified artemisinin resistance mutations in Southeast Asia and established frameworks for tracking resistance spread. Current projects analyze parasite migration patterns and identify novel resistance markers to partner drugs.

Recent publications characterize genomic diversity in Plasmodium populations and identify transporter mutations affecting piperaquine sensitivity. Her research combines field studies in malaria-endemic regions with advanced genomic analyses to inform elimination strategies.

Awards and Honors:

• Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award (2014)
• Director of Central Intelligence's Exceptional Intelligence Analyst Program (1992, 2004)
• ACM Recognition of Service Award (2003)
• UNO Faculty Service Learning Award (2011)

She leads population genomic studies across Southeast Asia and Africa through collaborations with the Institute for Genome Sciences. As Track Leader for the Molecular Epidemiology graduate program, she mentors doctoral students investigating genetic epidemiology approaches to global health challenges.