Departmental Affiliations
Shahbaz Khan, PhD, MVSc, studies lipid storage and metabolism pathways in human and veterinary parasites to develop effective therapeutics and prophylactics for parasitic infections.
Research Interests
Toxoplasma; Neospora; Cryptosporidium; lipid storage; lipid metabolism; drug discovery; drug targets; genetically attenuated vaccines
Experiences & Accomplishments
Honors & Awards
ToxoInc Travel Grant (2024)
American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Young Investigator Travel Grant (2022 and 2023)
Paul B. Doby Award for Outstanding Graduate Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2022)
Phi Zeta Honor Society Mu Chapter Literary Award for Basic Sciences (2022)
University Gold Medal, Veterinary Medicine Program (2007)
Select Publications
Most recent publications:
Khan SM, Mia MM, Witola WH. 2024. Selective targeting of phosphodiesterases to develop potent antiparasitic drugs. Trends Parasitol.
Mia MM, Allaie IM, Zhang X, Li K, Khan SM, Kadotani S, Witola WH. 2024. Characterization of a unique catechol-O-methyltransferase as a molecular drug target in parasitic filarial nematodes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18: e0012473
Khan SM, Bajwa MR, Lahar RY, Witola WH. 2023. Combination of inhibitors for two glycolytic enzymes portrays high synergistic efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 67:e0056923.
Khan SM, and Witola WH. 2023. Past, current, and potential treatments for cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals: A comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 13:1115522.
Khan SM, Hernandez AG, Allaie IM, Grooms GM, Li K, Witola WH, Stec J. 2022. Activity of (1-benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamides against Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 19:6-20