Graduated in Biological Sciences (Medical Track) from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, with a Master’s and PhD in Science (Microbiology) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, USA. She is currently a Full Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Her main research focuses on the interaction of trypanosomatids with vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, analysis of aspects of the vertebrate host’s innate immune response, and the role of vector saliva components in these mechanisms. Her research also includes: (1) Leishmanicidal activity of products derived from Brazilian plants and algae; (2) Mechanisms involved in Leishmania-HIV-1 co-infection that contribute to the exacerbated growth of both pathogens; (3) Interaction of trypanosomatids with insect vectors. She is currently studying the role of extracellular traps (NETs) from neutrophils and other innate immune cells in leishmaniasis and other diseases. She is a Scientist of Our State (Cientista do Nosso Estado) funded by FAPERJ and a Researcher 1A at CNPq.

E-mail: esaraiva@micro.ufrj.br

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