Dr. Laufer is Professor of Pediatrics and the Director of the Malaria Research Program Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has been conducting epidemiological and translational research focusing on global infectious diseases for 20 years with the goal of translating scientific discovery into clinically relevant strategies to improve health. She leads a multi-disciplinary and international team of investigators, trainees, and students, in the US and in Africa, who are dedicated to developing strategies and tools to support the global effort to tackle infectious diseases. In her laboratory at the University of Maryland, her team uses molecular, genomic, and immunological approaches to address some of the most pressing challenges in controlling the burden of malaria. All of her studies are the basis for research training of medical students, pediatric residents, undergraduate, and graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows.
In addition, Dr. Laufer serves as the Associate Dean for Student Research to support and expand the opportunities for medical students to engage in research activities and training.
