Research

COVID-19

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer elementum ornare lectus, in dapibus sapien dignissim ut. Vivamus cursus ornare mi, at tincidunt nunc laoreet sed. Ut ullamcorper feugiat convallis. Ut pharetra est eu mauris facilisis, nec posuere metus mollis. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Proin ligula erat, ultricies vitae lacus sit amet, commodo ornare orci. Quisque eu est in metus iaculis rutrum a a dolor. Nulla nec velit ac ligula volutpat mollis.

Nulla eleifend augue sodales elit placerat dignissim. Ut sodales turpis nisi, vel auctor massa ultrices eget. In accumsan ex velit, porta convallis lorem scelerisque et. Nullam accumsan libero ligula, ultrices dictum ante luctus at. Nunc tincidunt libero in eros porttitor, eget imperdiet elit mollis. Cras molestie laoreet est et pellentesque. Maecenas lacinia ornare nibh. Fusce ultrices et enim lobortis fermentum. Sed eget eros vel leo auctor pretium. Nulla hendrerit, dui vulputate viverra elementum, sapien massa rhoncus sem, in cursus sapien leo vitae leo. Vestibulum sit amet placerat nunc. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas.

Legend for COVID-19 image

Arboviral diseases

With climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing globalization, the global burden of arboviral diseases, or arthropod-borne viruses, has been swiftly growing in the past few decades. At the Ko Lab, we are focused on equitable strategies to mitigate the impact of these diseases. Our research primarily focuses on mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Through a combination of infrastructural and socioeconomic conditions, these urban diseases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable groups in society, such as those with low socioeconomic status, often living in unplanned urban settlements. With no specific treatments available, vector control and novel vaccines are at the forefront of mitigation strategies. Our work is mainly focused in Brazil – at our main research site in Salvador, in Belo Horizonte, and in Rio de Janeiro. We are constantly collaborating across the globe, with new projects always on the horizon…

Our main current areas of research are:

Understanding the local-scale epidemiology of chikungunya and Zika, and characterizing high risk groups.
In collaboration with SUNY Upstate Medical University, developing novel diagnostics to detect specific arboviral infections in areas of high co-circulation of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
Identifying vaccine roll-out strategies for novel chikungunya and dengue vaccines.
Evaluating the effectiveness of wMel Wolbachia-based vector control interventions in preventing arboviral incidence through the EVITA Dengue cluster-randomized control trial.
Optimizing the release and monitoring of wMel Wolbachia-based interventions to ensure effective, equitable scale-up across Brazil, in collaboration with the World Mosquito Program.

Legend for Arboviral diseases image

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection that thrives in conditions of poor sanitation and environmental degradation, making it a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions. At the Ko Lab, we focus on equitable strategies to mitigate the impact of leptospirosis, particularly in urban slum communities where vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected.

Our research is centered in Salvador, Brazil, where informal settlements face recurring flooding and rodent infestations. These environmental and social factors create ideal conditions for leptospirosis transmission. Through long-term studies, we have identified critical risk factors, including exposure to floodwaters, rodent infestations, and inadequate waste disposal, providing evidence to inform public health interventions.

Our main current areas of research include:

Identifying how socioeconomic inequities, such as inadequate housing and poor waste management, increase exposure to Leptospira.
Understanding how climate variability, including extreme rainfall events, exacerbates the risk of leptospirosis outbreaks in flood-prone areas.
Improving diagnostic tools to differentiate leptospirosis from other tropical febrile illnesses.
Collaborating with local communities to implement strategies that reduce exposure, such as improved waste disposal, rodent control, and educational campaigns.
Exploring genetic variations in Leptospira strains to trace transmission pathways and understand pathogen adaptability to diverse environments and hosts.

Legend for Leptospirosis image

Pau da Lima Cohort

Legend for Pau da Lima Cohort image