Dr
Anna
Lacasta
Currently, I am a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) based in Nairobi, Kenya. My research interest is in the development of vaccines for livestock, mainly focusing my efforts in the development of subunit vaccines that prime B-cell responses. I am involved in several funded projects to develop subunit vaccines to protect against East Coast fever (ECF), caused by the parasite Theileria parva; bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV) and also African swine fever virus (ASFV). For the latest, the IVVN has recently funded a project to identify new antigens in the ASFV genome thorough a DNA plasmid library.
I held a Masters degree in Advanced Microbiology and a PhD in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, both from Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Spain. After completing my studies I moved to ILRI-Nairobi to perform a post-doc in the development of vaccines against ECF. My experience during all this years of research allow me to get to know the Vaccinology field and to expand my connection network with collaborators all over the globe. From this work, 15 peer-review papers and 3 patents have been generated.
My research interest is in the development of vaccines for livestock, mainly focusing my efforts in the development of subunit vaccines that prime B-cell responses. I am involved in several funded projects to develop subunit vaccines to protect against East Coast fever (ECF), caused by the parasite Theileria parva; bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV) and also African swine fever virus (ASFV). For the latest, the IVVN has recently funded a project to identify new antigens in the ASFV genome thorough a DNA plasmid library.
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health (East coast fever). 6 M USD, United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Coordinated research project between the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Washington State, University’s Paul G. Allen School for Global Health.
Role: PI
New antigen identification in the African swine fever virus genome thorough a plasmid DNA library. 100,000 GBP. Pump-Pirming grant by the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN). Coordinated research program between the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, Kenya) and the Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentaries – Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (IRTA-CReSA).
Role: PI