Sarah Volkman

Sarah Volkman, Principal Research Scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Professor of Nursing at Simmons College, has transformed understanding of malaria parasite genetics and drug resistance. After earning her ScD from Harvard School of Public Health, she has built an influential career combining molecular biology with epidemiological approaches to combat malaria. Her groundbreaking research focuses on understanding genetic variation in Plasmodium falciparum parasites and mechanisms of antimalarial drug resistance. As a key contributor to the development of a global Plasmodium falciparum Genetic Diversity Map, she pioneered innovative molecular barcode techniques for tracking parasite populations. Her work spans laboratory research and field studies across multiple African countries, establishing crucial insights into how malaria parasites evolve and develop drug resistance. Through her dual roles at Harvard and Simmons College, she continues to advance malaria research while training the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals in both research and clinical settings