DOLF

DOLF researchers recently revisited a small island in Indonesia 20 years later to uncover whether MDA was successful in eliminating LF. Take a deep dive into the story two decades in the making in the newest issue of Washington Magazine: source.washu.edu/2026/03/a-welc…

The DOLF project recently celebrated 15 years of conducting clinical and translational research to test new treat­ments to support the elimination of oncho and LF! A review of our progress, discoveries, and hopes for the future can be found here: dolfproject.wustl.edu/publication-re…

The Molecular Helminthology Lab welcomed a new postdoc last month! We're excited for Matthew Kulpa to join the team and are looking forward to seeing his accomplishments! dolfproject.wustl.edu/dolf-welcomes-…

Farewell & best wishes to our DOLF postdoc, Irina Diekmann! We thank Irina for her outstanding work and wish her every success in the next chapter of her career. Read more about her scientific contributions here: dolfproject.wustl.edu/best-wishes-ir…

This week, DOLF Senior Scientist, Kerstin Fischer, traveled to Côte d'Ivoire to train researchers from @CSRS_CIV in molecular xenomontoring techniques. These skills will be used to help understand the impact of MDA on oncho prevalence in blackflies.

This World NTD Day, DOLF is celebrating our mission to continue the fight to eliminate NTDs!

Happy 2026 from DOLF! As we reflect on the year 2025, the DOLF team recognizes a period marked by continued scientific rigor, collaboration, and progress toward the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. See our year in review here: t.e2ma.net/webview/zj3aai…

DOLF is encouraged by this recommitment to the global elimination of LF, and we’re proud to be a part of this ongoing effort.

Check out our new DOLF publication! This study demonstrates that semi-annual and annual DEC and albendazole are both equally effective treatments for LF in Papua New Guinea. Read more about this discovery here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41336638/

DOLF had a successful trip to @ASTMH 2025! Many engaging presentations, lively conversations, and discussions about the future of NTD treatment and elimination. Thanks to all the collaborators that we connected with in Toronto. Let's keep this important work going!

Catch DOLF in Toronto @ASTMH 2025! Find our session information here: dolfproject.wustl.edu/dolf-is-headin…

DOLF postdoc, Dr. Irina Diekmann, published a new paper on the impact of animal reservoirs on lymphatic filariasis in Indonesia. Read more here! dolfproject.wustl.edu/impact-of-anim…

This publication is now in print in The Lancet Infectious Dieases! thelancet.com/journals/lanin…

DOLF Director of Clinical Research Dr. Philip Budge provided expertise on parasitic infectious diseases on St. Louis Public Radio earlier this month stlpr.org/health-science…

DOLF is hiring! We’re looking for a postdoctoral research associate in NTDs to perform lab research on helminth parasites, to assist in clinical trials for river blindness treatment, and to manage large data sets. See the WashU Jobs site for more info! sites.wustl.edu/dolfproject/wo…

Congratulations to DOLF collaborator, Prof. Taniawati Supali, for receiving the Sarwono Award! She was given the prestigious award for her work to support the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Indonesia. dolfproject.wustl.edu/congratulation…

Rishika Mallu, a WashU undergraduate, joined the DOLF lab this summer to identify onchocerciasis presence in blackflies from Cote d’Ivoire. Her work will help us understand if MDA led to a measurable reduction in O. volvulus DNA in blackflies in that region.

This summer, DOLF hosted Dr. Peter McCarthy as a WashU School of Public Health MPH practicum student. Dr. McCarthy analyzed and compared onchocerciasis data from Liberia and Ghana, and assisted in writing a clinical trial protocol for an upcoming study in Liberia.

Last month, DOLF team members attended the @AAVParasit Annual Meeting in St. Louis! Dr. Irina Diekmann presented a One Health approach to eliminating LF, and Dr. Lucia Sanchez Di Maggio presented on identifying DNA repeats of Paragonimus kellicotti.

We wish Dr. Gary Weil all the best as he embarks on the next stage of his long and fruitful career: retirement!