# Designing a diversity-covering multiantigen multi-strain malaria vaccine

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $128,664

## Abstract

The Principal Investigator is a molecular epidemiologist whose overall goal is to become an independent malaria
vaccinologist. The goal of this career development award is to design a diversity-covering multi-antigen multi-
strain malaria vaccine that will provide strain-transcending protection against malaria infection.
Candidate: Dr. Ouattara is a Research Associate at the Division of Malaria Research (DMR) at the Institute for
Global Health (IGH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Through his graduate and post-graduate
training and experience, Dr. Ouattara expertise in molecular epidemiology, statistical genetics, and population
genetics prepares him to conduct the proposed research. To achieve his long-term career goal of developing
into an independent researcher in malaria vaccinology, Dr. Ouattara's career development plan will include
training in: 1) immunology, protein design, and vaccinology; 2) bioinformatics; 3) writing, communication, and
ethics. Didactics on leadership and laboratory management are also part of Dr. Ouattara's training.
Mentors/Environment: Dr. Ouattara has assembled a multidisciplinary team to achieve his goal. Dr. Ouattara's
primary mentor, Dr. Marcelo Sztein, is an accomplished immunologist with a special interest in assessing
immunological responses to vaccines. He has trained successful independent investigators. Dr. Ouattara's co-
mentor, Dr. Christopher Plowe, a malaria expert who has a track-record of training independent researchers. Dr.
Ouattara's advisory committee includes Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious diseases vaccinologist, Dr. Raphael
Simon, an expert in protein design, Dr. Shannon Takala Harrison, a renowned malaria molecular epidemiologist,
Dr. Joana Silva, an expert in genomics, Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, the Director of IGH and leader in vaccine trials and
policy, and Dr. Miriam Laufer, the Director of DMR, an experienced translational malaria researcher and a
committed mentor. In addition to the mentorship of his committee, Dr. Ouattara will work in a strong
interdisciplinary research environment at IGH, an institution that is committed to support young faculty members.
Research. Even though vaccination is a highly promising approach for the elimination of malaria, there is no
commercially available malaria vaccine. The proposed exploratory study aims to assess the genetic diversity of
malaria antigens, MSP5, SPECT1, and Pfs48/45 to guide the design of an effective vaccine. The research is
structured around two aims. Aim 1 examines P. falciparum vaccine antigen-encoding gene sequences in
samples collected in completed malaria surveys performed in Africa, South America, and Asia. The most
prevalent haplotypes of these antigens will be prioritized for further evaluation. In Aim 2, antigen variants
prioritized through this process will be expressed in baculovirus and Pichia pastoris expression systems and
polyclonal antibodies produced my immunizing mice. Leading antigen variants will then b...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987706
- **Project number:** 5K01HL140285-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Amed Ouattara
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $128,664
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-02 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987706

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987706, Designing a diversity-covering multiantigen multi-strain malaria vaccine (5K01HL140285-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987706. Licensed CC0.

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