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Assistant Professor
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Dr. Toapanta is a vaccine immunologist and microbiologist interested in translational research. His work focuses on understanding the complex pathogen-host immune interactions to identify key cellular and molecular players that can later be used as: 1) Targets for the development of vaccines (protein, LPS, and/or conjugated vaccines); 2) Therapeutic agents. Dr. Toapanta studies involve immunity induced by 1) enteric pathogens such as Salmonella Typhi and Shigella flexneri and repiratorey pathogens such as influenza virus. To study systemic B and T cell responses, Dr. Toapanta uses clinical specimens from human vaccines and/or challenge studies. The ultimate goal is to identify correlates of protection that will aid in novel vaccine design.