Clara Smoniewski, PhD

I am an RNA and molecular biologist with an interest in infectious disease, particularly those that affect marginalized communities and will be affected by climate change. I studied Trypanosoma spp. in the lab of Dr. Sara Zimmer, specifically because they cause neglected tropical diseases and most greatly affect low-resourced communities. I focused my research on the mitochondrial mRNA regulation in the Trypanosoma brucei parasite, specifically on how 3' mitochondrial mRNA tails are differentially added. In doing so, I also serendipitously discovered circular mRNAs in T. brucei mitochondria. Before graduate school I worked with HIV and HCV genotyping, and gained a very broad range of environmental conservation experience in ecological restoration, forestry, and fisheries. I also worked with marginalized communities in Namibia to assess food security as related to conservation of important plant species. I am now working to tie my broad experiences into one cohesive story about health disparities, climate change, infectious disease, and their impacts on global health.