PhD Parasitology

Parasites affect the world in so many ways, there are numerous career options available in the field of parasitology. Parasitologists with interests in medicine and public health can pursue rewarding careers. Though courses such as BSc and MSc Parasitology provide a solid foundation and specialisation in the field, a PhD is required to advance your career, explicitly as a parasitologist. Here is an in-depth blog that discusses PhD Parasitology, its eligibility, universities, and career opportunities.

Course Level	Doctoral
Course Name	PhD Parasitology
Full-Form	Doctor of Philosophy in Parasitology
Duration	2-4 years
Examination Time	Semester type
Admission Process	Entrance + Merit-based
Eligibility Criteria	A bachelor’s degree and masters in science or a related field from a recognised school or university is required.
Job Positions	Parasitologist, Microbiologist, Virologist, Biomedical Scientist, Science Writer, Teaching Professional in Colleges or Universities, etc.

What is PhD Parasitology?

PhD in Parasitology is a comprehensive study on Parasites, which are fascinating organisms, because of their capacity to live and replicate within the host environment. Major areas of research include the molecular biology, immunology and population biology of parasites and their hosts, and the biochemical pharmacology of anti-parasite drugs. Most organisms harbour parasites and much of the research in PhD Parasitology focuses on understanding how parasites cause disease and how to best control disease in both humans and animals. Improving existing treatments and comprehending drug resistance mechanisms are critical components of this work. Furthermore, parasitic pathogen epidemiology, ecology, and population genetics are important areas of study that have a significant impact on transmission and control.

PhD Parasitology Course Curriculum

The PhD Parasitology focuses on the following topics and concepts. 

• Plasmodium falciparum Metabolism Molecular Basis of Sexual Development
• Interactions between P. falciparum and the mosquito vector: genetics and biology
• Malaria vector ecology and behavior
• During their life cycles, trypanosomes and Leishmania undergo cellular remodeling.
• Trypanosome cell division
• Antigenic variation, homologous recombination, and DNA repair pathways in T. brucei
• The interactions of African trypanosomes with their hosts
• African trypanosomiasis neuropathology
• T. gondii invasion of the host cell
• Mitochondrion and apicoplast biogenesis in T. gondii
• Theileria regulates host cell division and parasite differentiation.
• In vivo immune regulation in response to parasitic infection
• Immune response fitness costs and wild immunology
• In vivo imaging of the immune response to parasites
• Host-parasite systems mathematical modelling
• In Africa, the epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens
• Drug resistance mechanisms (protozoan, nematode, ectoparasites)
• Membrane transporters’ role in parasite virulence and drug resistance
• New lead compounds and vaccines for parasitic diseases are being developed (protozoan and nematode)
• Understanding gene function in parasitic nematodes using C. elegans as a model
• MicroRNAs in parasitic nematodes and their functions

Specialisations of PhD Parasitology

• Medical Parasitology
• Wildlife Parasitology
• Parasitology in pharmaceuticals
• Agricultural Parasitology
• Ecological Parasitology
• Immunoparasitology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites

Top Universities for PhD Parasitology

Here is the list of universities offering PhD in Parasitology:

Emory University

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta in the tree-lined suburban neighbourhood of Druid Hills, Emory University is positioned along the Clifton Corridor, which also includes the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society.

The Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program teaches students how to study parasites and how to use parasitic models to investigate basic molecular genetics problems. Malaria host-pathogen interactions are a focus of the parasitology faculty at MMG, with the goal of better understanding how malaria infection takes hold and causes disease.

For students entering the Graduate School portion of the program, the tuition for completing the 4+1 program is $21,900(INR 16,32,324) for the fall and $21,900 (INR 16,32,324) for the spring semester. The structure may differ according to the situation prevailing.

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow portfolio covers many aspects of parasitology research from molecules to cells and whole organisms to populations. Skills in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, epidemiology, population genetics, and mathematical modelling are used in research projects, which include both laboratory and fieldwork.

The duration of the PhD Program at this university is 3-4 years if done full time. Part-time may take up to 5 years. For an international student, the tuition fee is £23,950 (INR 23,950,00).

Check out: University of Glasgow Acceptance Rate for International Students

Yale University

Yale University is among the best universities to provide PhD in parasitology. Yale’s Immunobiology graduate programme is one of the country’s best, with students coming from Yale’s Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) and MD-PhD programmes. Graduate students study basic principles of basic and human immunology, as well as conduct an independent research project that leads to a PhD thesis and multiple journal publications. Faculty advisors and PhD thesis committees are two sources of research and career mentoring for students.

Tuition for full-time study at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for the academic year 2021-2022 is $45,700 (INR 34,06,265). The approximate time taken to complete a PhD is 5 years at Yale University.

This blog about Yale University could help you: Yale University Acceptance Rate

University of Liverpool

Liverpool has a 150-year history of being a world leader in infection research, tropical medicine, and global health. They use the latest functional genomic and proteomic techniques to understand the basic biology of parasites that cause endemic intestinal diseases in humans, such as cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis and amoebiasis, in the UK and worldwide. They use advanced 3D tissue culture models to study host-pathogen interactions at the intestinal epithelium, with particular emphasis on apicomplexan parasites.

For a lab-based full-time international student, the tuition fees of studying Medical Parasitology at the University of Liverpool is £24,250 (INR 24,25,000). The part-time programme cost £12,125(12,12,500). Full-time program takes 2 to 4 years whereas a part-time degree needs 4 to 6 years of concentrated effort. 

You may be interested in: Study Management at the University of Liverpool

University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers this degree in the name of Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology, PhD. At the university, The Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group (CAMB) is an interdisciplinary graduate program, providing rigorous training in modern cell and molecular biology, preparing students for leadership careers in biomedical research. The Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology Program allows students to focus their studies on the molecular and cellular biology of viral and bacterial pathogenesis and parasitology.

The average tuition fee charged by the university for this course is $44,024 (INR 32,81,344). The time for this degree to complete will take approximately 3 years. Although the tuition fee is relatively high, one can apply for different scholarships available on the official website of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Check out this blog: University of Pennsylvania Notable Alumni

McGill University

The Institute of Parasitology, McGill University offers graduate programs leading to Thesis based MSc and PhD degrees. Major areas of research include the molecular biology, immunology and population biology of parasites and their hosts, and the biochemical pharmacology of anti-parasite drugs.

The students have to apply for the  PhD Comprehensive Exam. This exam (PARA 701) evaluates the candidates’ suitability to continue in the Parasitology PhD program. The exam is divided into two sections: a proposal document and an oral examination.

Pursuing PhD in Parasitology at this university will cost you  $18901(INR 14,08,792) as a Full-time SIS. A PhD programme can be completed in four years after the residency requirement, which is completed at the end of PhD 3.

For more information, check out: McGill University Fees

Top Universities in India for PhD Parasitology

• Birsa Agricultural Research Institute, Ranchi
• Assam Agricultural University, Assam
• University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, West Bengal
• Jaipur National University, Rajasthan
• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu and Kashmir

Eligibility Criteria 

Students will normally have a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject, or an equivalent medical, veterinary or dental qualification. In most universities, applicants are selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae, qualifications and referees’ reports, together with their perceived ability to complete the programme successfully. The selection procedure varies from one institution to another.

Admission Process

Generally, the institution abroad asks for the following documents to be submitted before the deadline:

• Candidates must send a SOP (Statement of Purpose) to the universities they wish to apply to, indicating a fit between the programme and the candidate.
• Candidates must take the GRE General Test, an English Language Proficiency Test such as IELTS, and the GRE Subject Test, as required by the programmes to which they wish to apply.
• Candidates must send recommendation letters (including the purpose of the PhD and an essay based on it) to the institute to which they wish to apply.

Scholarships for PhD Parasitology

Here are some popular scholarships that universities offer for the PhD in Parasitology course.

Entrance Fellowships at McGrill University

The Institute of Parasitology’s fellowships committee awards new applicants for graduate studies in parasitology who are nominated by the Institute’s academic staff. The fellowship will be awarded on the basis of strong academic standing and financial need. An award of $14,000(INR 10,43,529) per year is given.

International Postgraduate Research Scholarship at the University of Liverpool 

Students planning to progress to a postgraduate research programme that is based in a laboratory and self-funded may be eligible to receive the Postgraduate Research Award: a £2,000 (INR 2,00,000) reduction in tuition fees for Year One of study. The candidate must comply with the terms and conditions to be eligible.

University Fellowship (UF) at Yale University.

University Fellowships (UFs) are funds provided through the Graduate School. These funds may be used during the initial year(s) of the doctoral program to cover stipend and tuition fees.

Beit Glasgow Medical Scholarship At The University Of Glasgow

This joint scholarship funds postgraduate medical or biomedical training within the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at the University of Glasgow. Alfred Beit, a financier and philanthropist, established the Beit Trust in 1906 through his will. The Beit Glasgow Medical Scholarships are designed to boost human capital in the biomedical field in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for the benefit of their people. The Beit Trust, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, seeks out bright students with leadership potential in their fields.

Emory University Scholar Programs

As part of this program, Emory University offers partial to full merit-based scholarships. Scholar programmes encompass more than just merit-based awards. They provide students with the resources and support they need to reach their full potential and make a difference at the university, in Atlanta, and around the world.

You can learn about other scholarship opportunities for PhD students from here List of Top PhD Scholarships in India 2021

Scope of PhD Parasitology

Parasitologists work in a variety of fields, including medicine, agriculture, and academia, where they can study a variety of biological branches such as microbiology and biochemistry. As a result, their jobs have many layers. The PhD in Parasitology can lead to the following occupations:

• Bacteriologists
• Clinical microbiologists
• Environmental microbiologists
• Industrial microbiologists
• Medical microbiologists
• Microbiological analysts
• Mycologists
• Public health microbiologists
• Quality control microbiologists
• Virologists

Average Salary after PhD Parasitology

The pay scale for parasitologists varies greatly depending on experience and speciality. In general, the entry-level salary is about $31,250 (INR 23,29,307), the average salary is $51,020(INR 38,02,921) and the maximum salary is about $87,060 (INR 64,89,265).

FAQs

Hopefully, you are now familiar with the specifics of pursuing a PhD in Parasitology as a result of reading this blog! If you want to study this course at your dream college but aren’t sure how to get started, schedule an E-meeting with experts at Leverage Edu. The professionals will not only help you find the best university, but they will also guide you through the process of writing an impressive SOP!