Don Krogstad, M.D., a tropical medicine specialist, will be the featured speaker at the third annual Berggren Lectureship at noon on Oct. 25, in the College of Public Health, Room 3013. Lunch will be served to the first 100 attendees.
Dr. Krogstad, professor of tropical medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, is a physician-epidemiologist trained in molecular biology whose work has focused on the basis of antimalarial resistance and the value of linking disease control strategies to basic biology. His lecture also is part of the Global Health Seminar series.
His presentation, “Malarial Resistance: Field Testing a New Agent Against Plasmodium Falciparum in Mali – the Scientific, Ethical and Practical Considerations in a Noninferiority Trial,” will reflect on his use of molecular genetic strategies to develop new agents against malaria and the results of a recent trial. He will discuss practical and ethical considerations accompanying pharmaceutical research in developing countries.
His research has focused on such challenges as:
- Parasite resistance to current/future antimalarial drugs and combinations;
- How to improve the efficacy of seasonal malaria chemoprevention;
- Malaria control strategies with the potential to interrupt transmission; and,
- Limitations imposed on malaria control in areas where biting and entomologic inoculation rates are similar indoors and outdoors.
His approach to these and other questions has been heavily influenced by time spent working in West Africa (Mali) during the past 25 years and in Haiti and East Africa (Malawi), where he worked as a young professional with Gretchen Berggren, M.D., (UNMC 1958) and the late Warren Berggren, M.D. (UNMC 1955).
His recent publication on a Phase II clinical trial comparing two antimalarial drugs on a resistant strain of malaria was published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Lancet.
Dr. Krogstad’s grand rounds presentation will be live streamed.
The Drs. Warren L. and Gretchen G. Berggren Lectureship Series, the first endowed lectureship for the college, was established through a gift from Carol Swarts, M.D., class of 1959, a longtime friend of the couple.