Mariela Segura

Mariela Segura received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal, where she became interested in host-pathogen interactions. During two post-doctoral trainings (Laval University and McGill Centre for the Study of Host Resistance) she acquired expertise on cellular biology and immunomodulation by parasites. Dr. Segura started her independent research career at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 after being granted an important career award. She is known for research in the areas of infectious diseases and the underlying innate and adaptive immune responses, with a particular focus on the interactions of encapsulated streptococci (such as Streptococcus suis and Group B Streptococcus) with the components of the immune system.

Segura’s laboratory applies multidisciplinary approaches, from biochemistry to cellular and molecular immunology, to dissect the role of bacterial capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) on the immunopathogenesis of the disease caused by pathogenic streptococci. An interconnected research axe seeks out vaccine development against Streptococcus suis, an emerging swine and human pathogen.

Segura’s research contributions have been recognized by over 30 prizes and distinctions, a few of which are the Canada Research Chair, the UNESCO-L’Oréal Canada for Women in Science Research Excellence Award; the ‘Zoetis’ Award of Excellence in Research; the ‘Fisher Award’ of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, and the Women of Distinction Award in Science and Technology. Dr Segura is author or co-author of 127 total publications, including research articles, review articles and book chapters. She has contributed to the training of over 90 graduate and undergraduate students in her laboratory.

Updated CV 31-May-2019