Prof. Dr. med. Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
heads the parasitology diagnostics department and co-leads the teaching unit at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene at Technical University of Munich.
Her groups’ research focus is to understand the immunological basis of host-parasite interactions of zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases (NTD), type 2 immune disorders such as allergies - and to foster translation of results into therapeutic and advanced diagnostic applications. The group also explores the impact of chronic infections on maternal and child health, especially in the context of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD).
Clarissa is the co-founder of the Center for Global Health, where she spearheads interdisciplinary activities such as the development of NTD therapeutics and diagnostics, the integration of novel technologies such as machine learning into the SDG3 agenda, the investigation of the environmental impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and of Women’s Health in sub-Saharan Africa.
Clarissa holds an approbation from Technical University of Munich.