MPZPM research group leader receives Early Career Scientist Prize
Dr. Viola Introini has been awarded the Early Career Scientist Prize in Biological Physics by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). She receives the prize for her novel physical approach to malaria research. Her lab at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) develops next-generation in vitro microvascular models to investigate how mechanical forces and tissue environments influence malaria.
Viola Introini uses quantitative approaches from physics to investigate how Plasmodium parasites interact with their human hosts across various biological scales — from single cells to tissue-level networks. In its award statement, IUPAP highlighted her contributions to advancing the understanding of malaria infection, recognizing her “for pioneering the application of quantitative physical methods to uncover the biophysical mechanisms governing malaria parasite–host interactions across scales.”
“I am truly honored to receive this award, which is especially meaningful to me as a recognition of the importance of biophysics in infectious diseases—an aspect that is increasingly being acknowledged within medicine. I am grateful to Professor Pietro Cicuta and my supervisors for their support and guidance during the formative years of my academic journey,” says Introini. “This prize deeply motivates me to continue my work at MPZPM, advancing interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics, biology, and medicine to understand how biophysical principles shape disease.”
Deciphering the Mechanisms of Vascular Malaria Infection
Introini and her research group “Vascular Infection” aim to understand how malaria parasites invade red blood cells and adhere to blood vessels, leading to severe complications in the brain, placenta, and other vital organs. To this end, she investigates three distinct aspects. The first is the mechanical forces at play during parasite invasion and adhesion to blood vessels. Furthermore, she analyzes the genetic adaptations that help protect humans against malaria. Thirdly, she also studies the influence of host factors such as fever and specific tissue environments. To do so, she develops physiologically relevant in vitro vascular models used to understand malaria mechanisms of infection in a controlled setting. The ultimate goal is to translate the findings into medical applications, to treat malaria and other vascular diseases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
The award ceremony will take place during the 12th International Conference on Biological Physics in Genoa, Italy, from June 28 to July 3.
About the IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize in Biological Physics
The IUPAP C6 Early Career Scientist Prize recognizes exceptional achievements of scientists in the field of Biological Physics at a relatively early stage of their career. The recipients must be no more than eight years past the awarding of their PhDs (excluding career interruptions), are expected to have demonstrated significant scientific achievements and must display exceptional promise for future achievements in Biological Physics.
