DrCalvin Tiengwe

Dr. Calvin Tiengwe is a molecular parasitologist whose research investigates how parasitic pathogens evade host immunity and establish chronic infections. Using Trypanosoma brucei as a model organism, his work focuses on understanding how parasites continuously alter their surface to escape immune recognition and how they compete with the host for essential nutrients like iron.

His laboratory combines molecular and cell biology approaches to study these survival strategies, aiming to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited for therapeutic intervention. This work connects fundamental mechanisms of immune evasion to the clinical features of trypanosomiasis and has broader implications for understanding chronic parasitic infections.

Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Tiengwe leads the SMART Livestock project, which monitors drug-resistant trypanosomes in livestock across West and Central Africa. By linking molecular research to field surveillance, his work addresses antimicrobial resistance, food security, and zoonotic disease transmission through a One Health approach.