Professor, Genetics Research Interests How do eukaryotic and organellar genome sequences evolve? Our lab is interested in parasite genomics and the biology of genome evolution. The nuclear and organellar genome sequences of parasitic eukaryotes are often highly-reduced, devoid of recognizable mobile elements and riddled with intracellular and lateral gene transfers. Our approach is to apply molecular, computational and phylogenetic tools to the analysis of complete parasite genome sequences. Projects include the development of tools for data integration, data mining, comparative genomics and the systems biology of host-pathogen interactions. Kissinger is a member of the NIH/NIAID Bioinformatic Resource Center, VEuPathDB.org leadership team. Research focuses on the apicomplexan protist pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii and several species of Cryptosporidium and Plasmodium. Researchers in our group work at the bench, the computer, or both. Kissinger Lab Website Podcasts People, Parasites and Plagues (Episode 7 - Petabytes of problematic pathogens) People, parasites and Plagues (Mini-Episode - A career in science) The Genetics Podcast (Episode 85 - Large-scale parasite genomics and the power of multi-omic data) Talking Biotech Podcast (Episode 371: November 2022 - The Genomes of Parasites) Honors & Awards Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award, UGA, 2024 Fulbright US Scholar, Fulbright Scholar Program, 2022 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2021 Fellow, American Society for Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 2020 Distinguished Research Professor, UGA, 2017 Richard F. Reiff Internationalization Award, UGA, 2016 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellow, 2015-2016 Faculty Excellence in Diversity Award, UGA, 2013 Creative Research Medal, UGA, 2009 Kavli Fellow, Frontiers of Science 2005-2006, 2008
