FRANCK DUMETZ
Program Officer – Science & Global Health R&D (candidate)
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Global health scientist with 10+ years of experience in infectious disease (malaria, leishmaniasis, protozoan parasites) across Europe and the US. Lead and co-lead on complex genomics and RNA biology projects, with a strong track record of evaluating evidence, designing experiments, and coordinating multi-partner work. Author/co-author of 15+ peer-reviewed publications on parasite biology, drug resistance, and RNA regulation; frequent invited speaker and teacher. Comfortable with importance–neglectedness reasoning, and hits-based giving logic, and motivated to apply these tools to vaccine and product development portfolios (especially malaria, and broader global health R&D).
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Research Associate – Microbiology & Immunology / Institute for Genome Sciences
University of Maryland, Baltimore
04.2023 - Current
- Lead projects on genome and transcriptome dynamics in protozoan parasites (Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Crithidia, Toxoplasma), directly relevant to vaccine and drug target discovery.
- Design and execute experimental and analytical pipelines (including direct RNA sequencing) to understand RNA regulation, host–pathogen adaptation, and mechanisms underlying treatment failure.
- Regularly review literature, integrate diverse evidence, and propose next-step experiments—mirroring the work of identifying and assessing promising R&D opportunities.
- Mentor undergraduate and high-school trainees in genomics and bioinformatics, contributing to global health research capacity.
- Contribute lectures to parasitology and RNA biology courses, distilling complex science for non-specialist health professional audiences.
- Serve on institutional committees (e.g., biosafety, inclusion/diversity), participating in policy discussions and long-term strategic planning.
Senior Post-doctoral Associate – Serre Lab, Institute for Genome Sciences
University of Maryland, Baltimore
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Co-led projects integrating RNA structurome, transcriptomics, and ribosome profiling in malaria and leishmaniasis to identify regulatory mechanisms and potential intervention points.
- Helped define project scope, milestones, and analytical approaches; managed collaborations with wet-lab and computational teams.
- Provided analytical and strategic input on grant proposals and manuscripts, including framing significance, innovation, and feasibility—skills directly transferable to proposal review.
- Participated in Responsible Conduct of Research and trainee-support initiatives, deepening understanding of research culture, incentives, and common failure modes.
Post-doctoral Research Associate – Merrick Lab, Department of Pathology
University of Cambridge
08.2018 - 12.2020
- Led experimental work on RNA G-quadruplexes and RNA structuromes in Plasmodium falciparum, contributing to high-impact publications and shaping the field’s understanding of parasite RNA biology.
- Designed and delivered practical classes; supported students with disabilities in lab courses, reinforcing inclusive and equitable science training.
- Represented the lab at international meetings, building relationships with researchers and funders interested in malaria and global health.
Volunteer Scientist – Covid-19 Diagnostic Center
University of Cambridge / GSK / AstraZeneca
05.2020 - 07.2020
- Contributed to a large-scale Covid-19 PCR testing operation during the pandemic, gaining first-hand experience of how funding, logistics, and policy interact in emergency response.
Pre-doctoral Researcher (PhD Candidate) – Molecular Parasitology Unit
Institute of Tropical Medicine & University of Antwerp
10.2012 - 01.2018
- Led PhD research on gene dosage, aneuploidy, and antimony resistance in Leishmania donovani—a key challenge in treatment programs in low- and middle-income countries.
- Generated multiple first-author publications on genome plasticity, drug resistance, and parasite adaptation.
- Supervised MSc students and contributed to teaching in tropical infectious disease courses, supporting training pipelines in global health research.
Education
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
University of Antwerp / Institute of Tropical Medicine
Antwerp, Belgium01.2018
MSc - Molecular & Cellular Biology (Medical Parasitology & Mycology)
Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) / Institut Pasteur
Paris, France01.2012
BSc - Biology (Biotechnology)
Université Libre des Sciences et Technologies, Lille
Lille, France01.2010
Skills
Deep domain expertise: Molecular parasitology, malaria biology, RNA biology, drug resistance, and pathogen genomics
Analytical & quantitative: Critical appraisal of literature and data; extensive experience with large biological datasets (NGS, RNA-seq, genome resequencing)
Grant & project design: Led and contributed to multi-year research projects, including hypothesis generation, study design, milestones, budgets, and risk management
Stakeholder engagement: Worked closely with PIs, trainees, bioinformaticians, and collaborators across institutions and countries; experience presenting to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
Hits-based mindset: Familiar and comfortable with funding high-upside, high-uncertainty scientific bets, especially in early-stage vaccine and platform technologies
Equity & capacity building: Longstanding involvement in mentoring, teaching, and institutional inclusion/diversity efforts
Evidence review & synthesis: Systematic literature review, expert outreach (PIs, clinicians, method developers), and synthesis into concise decision-oriented memos
Cause prioritization: Familiar with importance–neglectedness–tractability and hits-based giving
Data & quantitative tools: NGS analysis (genome & transcriptome), variant calling, experimental design; proficient with R/Python for exploratory data analysis and visualization; able to engage productively with statisticians and modelers
Communication & relationship-building: Clear, structured writing (papers, reports, teaching materials, internal memos); experience giving talks and representing research at international conferences; strong interpersonal skills across cultures and career stages
Websites
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 3 staff members.
- Developed a multi-programming languages pipeline with a summer student.
FUNDING, AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
Prize Winner, Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences – Natural Sciences (Belgium, 2018), for PhD work on microbial drug resistance., Professional Services Recognition (Cross-University Award), University of Cambridge, for Covid-19 testing center work., EMBO Short-Term Fellowship and FWO support for international research placements., Zoetis Travel Award, WorldLeish6 (global leishmaniasis conference).
TEACHING, MENTORING & CAPACITY BUILDING
- Course faculty, “Introduction to Parasitology”, School of Dentistry (UMB): introduce parasitic diseases and global health concepts to non-specialist health professionals.
- Lecturer on RNA processing and parasite biology in core graduate courses.
- Invited lectures on leishmaniasis, malaria, and tropical infectious diseases at institutions in Europe, North America, and Latin America.
- Ongoing supervision of MSc, undergraduate, and high-school trainees in molecular parasitology, sequencing, and bioinformatics.
Timeline
Research Associate – Microbiology & Immunology / Institute for Genome Sciences
University of Maryland, Baltimore
04.2023 - Current
Senior Post-doctoral Associate – Serre Lab, Institute for Genome Sciences
University of Maryland, Baltimore
01.2021 - 03.2023
Volunteer Scientist – Covid-19 Diagnostic Center
University of Cambridge / GSK / AstraZeneca
05.2020 - 07.2020
Post-doctoral Research Associate – Merrick Lab, Department of Pathology
University of Cambridge
08.2018 - 12.2020
Pre-doctoral Researcher (PhD Candidate) – Molecular Parasitology Unit
Institute of Tropical Medicine & University of Antwerp
10.2012 - 01.2018
MSc - Molecular & Cellular Biology (Medical Parasitology & Mycology)
Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) / Institut Pasteur
BSc - Biology (Biotechnology)
Université Libre des Sciences et Technologies, Lille
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
University of Antwerp / Institute of Tropical Medicine