By Patrick Sherry
Rhoel Dinglasan, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, investigates the transmission of understudied infectious diseases. Dr. Dinglasan is establishing a greater understanding of neglected diseases and leading research studies in multiple countries. Through this, he is attempting to provide the tools to combat certain diseases but more importantly, promote diversity and equity in science through well-established, capacity-building efforts.
His research primarily focuses on the transmission of neglected tropical diseases, which include malaria and the arboviruses dengue and Zika, which are spread through insect vectors. In collaboration with researchers in heavily impacted areas, he is focusing on addressing these issues on a local level. By providing the tools needed for scientific inquiry, he is attempting to increase the availability and equity of science in underserved parts of the world.
“I’m about ensuring that we decolonize science from how it has been conducted in the developing world for hundreds of years, wherein the capabilities are kept in developed countries,” said Dinglasan. “What we do there is exactly the same as what we do here [in the US]; we transfer capacity.”
These ventures have led him to projects in countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon, which involve providing training and resources for local research centers, with hopes of discovering improved solutions to insect vector-transmitted diseases. To facilitate these discoveries, a systems biology approach utilizing transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics data is used. These data can help develop models that assist in creating an understanding of the transmission biology of pathogens that are then used in informing the design of solutions such as a malaria vaccine. However, he emphasizes to achieve this, science must go beyond specialized fields and laboratories to comprehend how multiple processes, that occur in disease-endemic regions, influence these phenomena.
“Understanding transmission of these pathogens through mosquitoes, ticks, and what have you allows us to be firmly grounded in both the field and the lab,” said Dinglasan. “[That’s] something I will never replace because that is how we can do different science – ask different questions. We allow the field to teach us about biology – about nature, so that we ask the right questions in a lab, develop a new intervention, and then go back to the field for validation.”
Through various field projects, Dr. Dinglasan and his team were able to design a vaccine that prevents parasite transmission of malaria parasites through mosquitoes, which is currently in Phase 1b clinical trials. The vaccine is intended to synergize and improve the efficacy of another malaria vaccine that was recently approved for use by the World Health Organization. Moreover, these clinical trials are being conducted in Africa so researchers can address immediate failures or shortcomings of the vaccine in areas most impacted.
“In essence, we don’t fail because we always pivot; we always evolve; we always learn from the mistakes, and therefore we don’t officially fail all the time,” said Dinglasan. “We’re not convinced that we’re correct, and that makes our science rigorous. You purposely design yourself to fail, and then you get so pleased when you don’t!”
Besides malaria research, as the director of the Southeastern Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Dr. Dinglasan oversees research on pathogens present in the southeastern US and the Caribbean. Many of the pathogens are transmitted through ticks as well as mosquitos and cause disease.
Dr. Dinglasan’s research ventures have been made possible through advances in genetic technology. The field of genetics has experienced numerous revolutionary technological advances in recent years that have benefited esoteric fields of study and more importantly reduced costs. This has benefited Dr. Dinglasan’s research and also allowed his team to provide practical, cost-effective templates for the application of this technology to countries with historically less access. Dr. Dinglasan hopes that he can facilitate discoveries and breakthroughs through passionate scientists in underserved populations, so they can push the boundaries of science.
“Do it for the right reasons and you will never be disappointed in your career choice,” said Dinglasan. “It’ll always get back to you. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the glint of opportunity in the eyes of a young individual and still seeing it as they went through training and so forth.”
Overall, Dr. Dinglasan believes that his research is a rewarding experience that allows him to use science as a way to promote diversity in an ever-changing field that needs equity to achieve its full potential.
“Education is a right of all humans, in that we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves,” said Dinglasan. “You never know when or where the next discovery is going to come from anywhere in the world. So you give them the opportunity for humankind to achieve its potential, not just a sub-selection.”