Dr. Swearingen’s research focuses on applying analytical chemistry tools and approaches, especially mass spectrometry, toward understanding the biology of pathogens that affect human health. His current work focuses primarily on parasites of the genus Plasmodium, the causative agent of the disease malaria. Dr. Swearingen uses mass spectrometry to identify and quantify how proteins are expressed and modified in Plasmodium with the aim of identifying new targets for therapies to block invasion and transmission of the parasite.