Kayla Wolofsky

Kayla Wolofsky is a Master of Science Candidate at Sandra A. Rotman Laboratories, McLaughlin Rotman Centre for Global Health within the Translational Research Pillar. 

Kayla's research focuses on the association between the ABO blood type and Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Malaria has been a major selective force on red blood cell polymorphisms that confer protection to severe disease. Several lines of evidence suggest that the outcome of Plasmodium falciparum infection may also be influenced by ABO blood group antigens. Blood type O predominates in malaria endemic regions and has been associated with protection from developing severe and complicated malaria. Kayla investigates the mechanism as to how blood type O may confer protection.  This project involves knowledge and data from a mosaic of disciplines including parasitology, hematology, immunology, and epidemiology. The outcomes of this study will likely invite speculation and research from individuals in a number of different fields.