Researcher Spotlight: Alberto Moreno

What is your professional background?
I earned my MD from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and completed a Fogarty Fellowship in Immunoparasitology at New York University’s Department of Medical and Molecular Parasitology. After my training, I returned to my home country to serve as the head of the Malaria Unit at the Colombian National University’s Instituto de Inmunologia. In 2000, I joined the malaria program at the Emory Vaccine Center and became a faculty member in the Division of Infectious Diseases in 2004.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, and affiliate scientist at the Emory Vaccine Center and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. My research mentor is Mary Galinski.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research interest is focused on malaria pathogenesis and vaccine development. Malaria is the most important parasitic disease of global impact that accounts for more than 220 million clinical cases every year. The complexity of the life cycle and the paucity of knowledge on the mechanisms involved in protection and physiopathology have hampered the development of effective vaccines. I favor the concepts of developing subunit multi-stage vaccines targeting essential proteins in each one of the parasite stages and boosting memory T cells critical for inducing long-lasting immune responses. This vaccination strategy involves the design and production of chimeric antigens delivered using nanoengineered proteins, novel adenovirus vectors, and heterologous prime-boost immunization regimens. The development of an effective malaria vaccine is essential for malaria control and potential elimination.

What do you like most about Emory?
The faculty diversity, and the breadth and quality of the research programs.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I enjoy movie classics, ‘Ben-Hur,’ ‘The Sound of Music,’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ to name a few.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family, hiking, and cooking.

What is a fun fact about you?
During my clinical training working in a rural hospital in Colombia, we created an Eastern Plains regional music band with colleagues and played serenades for friends.