Johann Tailor, B.S.

Bio

Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) is a eukaryotic parasite that causes a very common and highly neglected sexually transmitted infection called trichomoniasis that affects millions worldwide.

Some of the symptoms of trichomoniasis include urinary tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, disruption of healthy vaginal microbiome, and it is associated with preterm birth/labor, premature rupture of membrane, pregnancy complications, heightened susceptibility to acquiring cervical cancer, and HIV infection.

Despite its high prevalence, the mechanisms by which Tv injures the female reproductive cells and elicits these severe symptoms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, I am investigating how Tv injures ectocervical cells using genetic, molecular, and microscopy approaches in Dr. Angelica Riestra’s lab.

My research primarily focuses on studying the host cell death mechanism and the changes in the cell microenvironment inflicted by Tv during infection. Ultimately, my investigations will help discover novel therapeutic targets and contribute to a deeper understanding of Tv pathogenesis.