Departmental Affiliations
Shahbaz Khan, PhD, MVSc, studies lipid storage and metabolism pathways in human and veterinary parasites to develop effective therapeutics and prophylactics for parasitic infections.
Research Interests
Toxoplasma; Neospora; Cryptosporidium; lipid storage; lipid metabolism; drug discovery; drug targets; genetically attenuated vaccines
Experiences & Accomplishments
Honors & Awards
ToxoInc Travel Grant (2024)
American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Young Investigator Travel Grant (2022 and 2023)
Paul B. Doby Award for Outstanding Graduate Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2022)
Phi Zeta Honor Society Mu Chapter Literary Award for Basic Sciences (2022)
University Gold Medal, Veterinary Medicine Program (2007)
Select Publications
Most recent publications:
Mia M, Allaie IM, Zhang X, Li K, Khan SM, Kadotani S, Witola WH. 2024. Characterization of a unique catechol-O-methyltransferase as a molecular drug target in parasitic filarial nematodes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18: e0012473
Khan SM, Bajwa MR, Lahar RY, Witola WH. 2023. Combination of inhibitors for two glycolytic enzymes portrays high synergistic efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 67:e0056923.
Khan SM, and Witola WH. 2023. Past, current, and potential treatments for cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals: A comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 13:1115522.
Khan SM, Hernandez AG, Allaie IM, Grooms GM, Li K, Witola WH, Stec J. 2022. Activity of (1-benzyl-4-triazolyl)-indole-2-carboxamides against Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 19:6-20
Khan SM, Zhang X, Witola WH. 2022. Cryptosporidium parvum Pyruvate Kinase Inhibitors With in vivo Anti-cryptosporidial Efficacy. Front Microbiol 12:800293.