Jeroen Saeij

I am interested in host-pathogen interactions and the genetics of susceptibility to infectious disease. As a Ph.D. student I studied the genetics of resistance of carp to infection with blood flagellates (Trypanosoma carassii and Trypanoplasma borelli) in Geert Wiegertjes‘ lab at Wageningen University in The Netherlands. As a postdoctoral fellow in John Boothroyd’s lab at Stanford, I studied the genetics of Toxoplasma strain differences in virulence and modulation of the host cell. I started my own lab at MIT in 2007. At MIT I taught Experimental Molecular Biology (7.16) and Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease (7.26/7.66). I received tenure at MIT in 2014. Currently my lab is at the Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at The University of California, Davis. My group studies susceptibility to infection which is determined by a complex interplay between host and parasite. For other academic activities see my CV.
I strongly believe that a lab with people from different backgrounds and countries contributes to the stimulating environment that is necessary to keep our research innovative. I therefore try to create a diverse and inclusive lab environment with an open culture, where people can bring up new ideas and new ways of thinking. I also encourage a healthy work-life balance. Everybody that is excited about host-parasite interactions regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identification, age, physical abilities, economic status, nationality, or immigration status is welcome in the Saeij lab.