Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases
Research & Innovation Programmes Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases

Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases

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This programme aims to expand our current scientific understanding of the most relevant and neglected diseases affecting humans, and their host-vector interactions, in order to support evidence-based policy-making for the control and eventual elimination of these diseases.

We focus on malaria and neglected parasitic diseases such as Chagas, Dengue, soil transmitted helminths and leishmaniasis.

We apply methods which include  basic cell and molecular biology, omics, immunology, epidemiology, intervention trials with drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tools, surveillance and implementation science.

Main Research Areas

This program has international leadership in:

  • Basic science for a better understanding of the biology and host-pathogen interactions of these diseases.
  • Development and evaluation of new tools /strategies for the treatment and control of these diseases.
  • Surveillance and implementation science.

Capacity building is included at all levels.

This multidisciplinary research program addresses malaria and neglected parasitic diseases through a robust and integrated framework spanning biology of host-parasite interactions and the molecular basis of physiopathology, immunological mechanisms and vaccine development, epidemiological research, public and migrant health, clinical interventions, diagnostics and prevention tools, and implementation science, surveillance, and economics. Currently, the program includes 26 Principal Investigators (PIs) primarily affiliated with it, along with additional PIs affiliated with other programs who share several research lines. The program relies firmly in our original partnerships with Mozambique, Marruecos, and Bolivia, the latter now extended to Paraguay. In addition, actively pursuing strategic alliances with institutions in endemic regions, including other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Leone and Togo, countries with P. vivax (Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Cambodia) and Leishmania (Tunisia). Worth of mentioning, recent International collaboration efforts: (i) online meetings are being held with scientists from FIOCRUZ, and (ii) in-person meetings with researchers from ISGlobal and PTI–Salud Global CSIC to explore funding opportunities for cross-cutting programs. (iii) NHEPACHA (Nuevas Herramientas para Pacientes con Chagas).

Research Groups

Strategic Alliances in Endemic Regions

Translation and Impact

Over the years, ISGlobal has made significant efforts to tackle diseases that disproportionately affect populations living in poverty. As part of this commitment, the institution has focused on neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas disease and soil transmitted helminths, as well as on malaria control and elimination.

ISGlobal is a WHO Collaborating Centre for the control, elimination and eradication of malaria, providing strategic and technical guidance to the WHO and national malaria programmes, both for P. falciparum and P. vivax. ISGlobal hosts MESA Alliance, a global alliance of researchers, funders, national malaria programs, and policymakers. MESA's mission is to catalyse progress toward malaria eradication by connecting, synthesising, and translating global malaria knowledge into timely, actionable evidence that is shaped by and responsive to the priorities of malaria-endemic countries.

Since 2002, ISGlobal has focused its Chagas research on strengthening comprehensive care and improving the capacity of health systems to address this disease, both in endemic and non-endemic areas. Following a community-based approach, these projects are linked to information, education and communication (IEC) activities and aim to improve access to early diagnosis and treatment, identify and validate biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy, and prevent and manage chronic complications. Through long-term collaboration frameworks with international organisations and partners in Latin America, including health authorities and professionals, the aim is to raise awareness of Chagas disease among public health bodies.

To advance professional development, short courses and leadership workshops are offered, alongside opportunities to participate in ISGlobal’s Master’s programme in Global Health. Strategic partnerships are also established with universities and research centres in order to strengthen technical expertise and strategic leadership capacity among professionals and researchers.

Translation activities were led by the Malaria Elimination Initiative and the Chagas Initiative until January 2026, when they were integrated into the Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases programme, further strengthening ISGlobal's commitment to a comprehensive, results-oriented approach.

Related Impact Stories

Breaking the Silence: Increasing awareness, diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease in Bolivia and Paraguay

Path to Zero: Guiding malaria elimination efforts in Mozambique and beyond

Unveiling the Culprits: A new method to identify causes of death in low-income countries

Evidence for Policy

Note | Chagas: A Disease That Can No Longer Be Neglected

Analysis Document | Spain leadership on the struggle against Chagas disease

Analysis Document | A Decade of Stagnation: Strengthening the Commitment to Prevent Setbacks in the Fight against Malaria

Series | What Impact Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Had on the Fight Against Malaria?

Our Team

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Principal lnvestigators of the Programme

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Projects

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EpiGen

Building Scalable Pathogen Genomic Epidemiology in Ethiopia

MENA Migrant Health

Transforming data collection and surveillance to drive migrant health research, care and policy

HIDDENVIVAX

Novel organ-on-a-chip technology to study extracellular vesicles-mediated cryptic infections in Plasmodium vivax malaria

Science4Pandemics Project

Science4Pandemics

Citizens engagement digital platform for collective intelligence in pandemics

A young Bolivian girl is tested for Chagas disease

ChagasLAMP (GHIT G2020-2023)

Field validation of Trypanosoma cruzi-LAMP: a molecular point-of-care test for the control of congenital Chagas disease

MULTIPLY

MULTIple doses of IPTi Proposal: a Lifesaving high Yield intervention

ADAM project logo

ADAM

Malaria mass and focal drug administration to advance malaria elimination in Mozambique: accelerating programmatic implementation and policy translation

GenMoz

P. falciparum genomic intelligence in Mozambique

TRIP Doctor

La platatorma de telemedicina para viajes internacionales

Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), in Mozambique

ASINTMAL

Unravelling Disease Tolerance and Host Resistance in Afebrile 'P. falciparum' Infections: a Prospective Study in Mozambican Adults

BOHEMIA

Broad One Health Endectocide-based Malaria Intervention in Africa

TESEO

New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas Disease

STOP

Towards the interruption of transmission of soil-transmitted helminths

NANOpheles

Development of nanovectors for the targeted delivery in Anopheles mosquitoes of agents blocking transmission of Plasmodium parasites

BENDITA

Estudio Fase 2 de seguridad y eficacia para evaluar diferentes esquemas de dosis orales de combinación de benznidazol/E1224 y monoterapia de benznidazol para tratar adultos con Chagas crónico

MiPMon

Pregnant women as a sentinel group for malaria surveillance in an era of changing malaria transmission

Euroleish.net

Control of Leishmaniasis. From bench to bedside and community

RTS,S Vaccine Immunology Study

Study of immune correlates of protection against malaria after vaccination with RTS,S/AS01E: a comprehensive immunological arm of a Phase III double-blind, randomized, controlled multi-center trial

MESA

Sharing knowledge and catalyzing research towards a malaria-free world