Baylor College of Medicine
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine
As Director of the Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Dr. Mejia’s research
interests include molecular diagnostics of neglected tropical diseases and host defense
mechanisms, specifically on gastrointestinal parasites such as Strongyloides. Locations of
research and collaborations include USA, Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Mozambique, and Uganda.
The Diagnostics unit is dedicated to using modern molecular methods to detecting parasitic
infections in patients. We are currently investigating gastrointestinal parasites including soil
transmitted helminths (STH) Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus,
Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura and protozoans Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba
histolytica and Cryptosporidium hominis/parvum. Our patient populations include immigrants,
travelers, and indigenous people from field studies around the world. Our goals are to further define the prevalence and parasitic burden in endemic populations with goals of eradication and improvement healthcare outcomes.