Chasing Parasites: The Science Behind the Leishmaniasis Scar
A Free Public Talk from the VALIDATE Network
What if a single insect bite could leave a permanent mark — not just on your skin, but on your life?
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people every year, especially in forgotten corners of the world. Yet it’s largely absent from the headlines — and neglected by both the private and public sectors.
In this talk, Colombian biomedical investigator Dr María Adelaida Gómez takes us on a journey from remote rainforest villages to cutting-edge labs, uncovering the true cost of a disease, spread by tiny sandflies, that causes disfiguring skin wounds, psychological distress, and social stigma. Dr Gómez shares the real stories of patients whose lives are shaped by leishmaniasis — children who stop going to school, women who hide their faces, and travellers who return home with more than just souvenirs. She explains the science behind the scar: how a tiny parasite evades the immune system, why treatments remain toxic or unavailable, and how research — including the search for an effective vaccine — offers our best hope of closing the gap between those who suffer and those who can help.
This talk is a call to action: not just to investigate a dangerous parasite, but to give voice to the people it affects — and to invest in the science that can heal lives as well as wounds.
About the Speaker
Dr María Adelaida Gómez is a Colombian biomedical scientist specialising in neglected infectious diseases, with a particular focus on human leishmaniasis. Her research delves into the complex interactions between the Leishmania parasite and the human immune system, aiming to understand why some individuals develop severe disease while others recover. By exploring mechanisms of drug resistance, immune response, and disease progression, she seeks to improve treatments for those affected by this often-overlooked disease.
Leishmaniasis is a significant public health concern in Colombia, with over 11 million people at risk and thousands of cases reported annually, predominantly in rural and underserved areas. Dr Gómez's work is deeply rooted in these communities. She has actively engaged with rural and indigenous populations, such as the Wiwa communities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, conducting training sessions on disease recognition and sample collection, and collaborating on initiatives to enhance local diagnostic capabilities (cideim.org.co).
At CIDEIM in Cali, Adelaida leads the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Lab, and her research has garnered support from major international funders, including Wellcome and the US National Institutes of Health. As Co-Director of the VALIDATE Network, she fosters global collaboration to accelerate vaccine development for leishmaniasis and other neglected diseases.
About the Venue
The talk will take place at The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London — a historic home of discovery where some of the world’s greatest scientific breakthroughs were first shared with the public. From Faraday’s pioneering lectures on electricity to more than 200 years of world-famous Christmas Lectures and today’s explorations of cutting-edge biomedical research, the Ri has inspired generations to see science in a new light — making it the perfect setting for an exploration of this important but often neglected disease.
How to get there:
- Address: The Royal Institution of Great Britain, The 21 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BS (map).
- By tube: The Royal Institution is a five-minute walk from Green Park station, which is on the Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly lines. Also within a ten-minute walking distance is Piccadilly Circus station, on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, or Oxford Circus station on the Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines.
- By bus: Bus numbers 9, 14, 19, 22 and 38 run along Piccadilly by the entrance to Albemarle Street.
- By bicycle: Bicycle parking is located around the corner from the Ri, on Bond Street.
- By car: The Ri is located within the Congestion Charging zone.
There is limited metered parking nearby, and the nearest public car parks are located at Old Burlington Street and Arlington Street.
