Matthew Tucker, MS, MSPH, Ph.D.

Dr. Matthew Tucker is a molecular parasitologist with interests in vectorborne diseases, pathogen surveillance and detection, and microbiology.  He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science and a M.S. in Medical Sciences from the University of Florida. He also earned an M.S. in Public Health and his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. His masters research projects focused on the identification of a new filarial worm species and the pathogenesis of the marine bacterium Vibrio vulnificus.  Dr. Tucker’s doctoral work investigated the molecular basis of artemisinin resistance in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. He has over 15 years of experience working in academia and federal government.

Current Research Interests

Dr. Tucker is currently directing two projects that are funded by internal LECOM grants: “Development and Optimization of Novel Detection Reagents for Cyclospora cayetanensis” and “Surveillance of Vectorborne and Zoonotic Pathogens in Maryland White-Tailed Deer and Ticks”