Mary Prahl, MD
Dr. Prahl is a clinician-scientist engaged in translational research evaluating human immune responses to infectious diseases during pregnancy and early childhood to facilitate the development of novel strategies for disease prevention.
Pregnancy and Early Childhood Malaria:
Dr. Prahl’s work is aimed at understanding the immunologic consequences of in utero malaria exposure and malaria prevention on the immune system during fetal development and early childhood. Current malaria vaccines have been limited by poor immunogenicity in young children living in malaria endemic areas, and further research is needed to determine the reasons for these poor immune responses to malaria antigens in order to develop new tools to fight the malaria epidemic. This research is based on collaborations with Makerere University/IDRC in Uganda. Dr. Prahl’s work is aimed at evaluating potential contributing mechanisms of immune tolerance resulting from in utero malaria exposure and evaluating the effect of malaria control measures on the developing immune responses. In addition to her translational immunology work, Dr. Prahl aims to encourage and train future medical providers in global health careers.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination in Pregnancy, Lactation, and Early Childhood:
Dr. Prahl’s work is aimed to address critical knowledge gaps in the immunologic impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination during pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood. In addition, Dr. Prahl and her colleagues aim to determine mechanisms of transferred maternal-fetal immunity and the impact on protection against SARS-CoV-2 in early childhood.