Malathi Manuel
Christian Medical College & Hospital, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
0000-0002-2575-9721
About
I am a Senior Demonstrator (Lecturer, Non-Medical) at the Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory with expertise in molecular parasitology and the development of molecular diagnostic assays. My research focuses on the development, validation, and implementation of molecular diagnostics for parasitic infections.
I have standardized and validated multiple molecular assays, including qPCR and ddPCR, for the detection of parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica, Strongyloides, Dirofilaria, Schistosoma, Fasciola, Angiostrongylus, and Echinococcus. Several of these assays have been successfully translated into routine diagnostic practice.
Following training in the laboratories of Steven Williams (Smith College), Amy Pickering (Tufts University), and Nils Pilotte (Quinnipiac University), I established and validated high-throughput qPCR methods for detecting soil-transmitted helminths in both stool and environmental samples. These efforts contributed to our laboratory's recognition as a reference laboratory for helminth diagnostics within the EQAS organized by Erasmus University.
I served as the India site laboratory lead for the Gates Foundation–funded Deworm3 project, which evaluated the feasibility of community-wide deworming to interrupt STH transmission. I currently lead the laboratory component of the NIH-funded Tropical Medicine Research Centres (TMRC) project, "Changing the Landscape of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in India Using a One Health Approach."
Employment
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Christian Medical College & Hospital Senior Demonstrator (NM)2025 - 2027
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Christian Medical College, Vellore Demonstrator (NM)2024 - 2025
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Christian Medical College & Hospital Senior Research Fellow2023 - 2024
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Christian Medical College & Hospital Associate Research Officer2016 - 2021
Education
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Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University Ph.D.2021 - 2026
Projects & Funding
Projects & funding information is unavailable.
Publications (17)
- Zoonotic Transmission of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in a Setting with Close Human–Animal Interaction: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study from Meghalaya, India Save
- Detecting Angiostrongylus cantonensis Eosinophilic Meningitis with Highly Sensitive Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction—Report of Five Cases in Southern India Save
- Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Strongyloidiasis in a Patient with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Infection with Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction: Improving Detection and Clinical Management Save
- Feasibility of interrupting the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths: the DeWorm3 community cluster-randomised controlled trial in Benin, India, and Malawi Save
- Global diversity of soil-transmitted helminths reveals population-biased genetic variation that impacts diagnostic targets Save
- Environmental surveillance of soil-transmitted helminths and other enteric pathogens in settings without networked wastewater infrastructure Save
- Development and validation of a high-throughput qPCR platform for the detection of soil-transmitted helminth infections Save
- Evaluation of Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Amoebic Liver Abscess in India with Bayesian Latent Class Analysis. Save
- Soil surveillance for monitoring soil-transmitted helminths: Method development and field testing in three countries Save
- Community-wide mass drug administration for soil-transmitted helminths – risk of drug resistance and mitigation strategies Save