Dr Michael Leroy Kwame Ansah, BSc, MPhil, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I study microscopic parasites that cause disease, using cutting-edge lab techniques and computer-based analysis to understand how they survive, spread and interact with their hosts. My work aims to support better ways to detect, treat, and control these infections.

I am a parasitologist, biochemist and bioinformatician whose research applies state-of-the-art genomic approaches to generate high-quality reference genomes for parasitic eukaryotes. My work focuses particularly on Acanthamoeba, a genus of free-living amoebae that includes opportunistic pathogens capable of causing severe eye infections, especially in contact lens wearers. Using comparative genomics, I investigate the genetic determinants that may underpin pathogenicity in disease-associated Acanthamoeba species.

Genetic Analysis of Acanthamoeba in Patients with Acanthamoeba Keratitis (GAP-AK)

GAP-AK is a Sanger-sponsored study, carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and University Hospital Southampton, that uses whole-genome sequencing to characterise Acanthamoeba samples from patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis in the UK. The project will reveal the genetic diversity of disease-associated Acanthamoeba in UK patient samples and provide insight into potential bacterial, viral, or fungal symbionts present during infection.

By integrating genomic data with patient treatment information, GAP-AK aims to identify associations between infecting Acanthamoeba species or strains and treatment outcomes.

My timeline

• Sanger Excellence Fellow - Wellcome Sanger Institute

• PhD in Biomedical Science - University of Wolverhampton

• MPhil in Parasitology - Keele University

• BSc in Biochemistry - Keele University