Dr. Sirinart Ananvoranich

Biography

Sirinart Ananvoranich is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Windsor. She holds a Ph.D. from Concordia University. Her primary research interest lies in studying the biochemical mechanisms of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan parasite is known to infect approximately one-third of North Americans and is perhaps widespread globally. Infections in healthy adults are generally asymptomatic; however, in neonates and immunocompromised individuals, the consequences can be devastating, notably leading to congenital toxoplasmosis, a leading cause of neurological birth defects. T. gondii is also a common cause of focal brain lesions in AIDS patients. The Ananvoranich lab aims to utilize antisense ribozyme technology to disrupt the parasite's nucleotide salvage pathway, ultimately striving to exploit these techniques to target the essential mechanisms of the parasite's pathogenicity, invasion, and differentiation. Her research has contributed significantly to understanding Toxoplasma gondii and its impact on human health.

Research Interests