Our Team & Mission

The five members of the Parasites Without Borders team have had a lifetime of experience in studying parasitic diseases and using their knowledge to teach students of medicine and ease human suffering caused by parasites.

Our Team

For the purpose of eliminating human suffering due to parasitic infections it is essential that there is more and better education for all those in a position to apply medical knowledge directly to populations most in need of solutions to alleviate the burden of parasitic diseases. The three of us have had a life-time of experience in teaching parasitic diseases to students of medicine, both within the U.S.A. and abroad.

Daniel Griffin, MD

Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD

Chief, Division of Infectious Disease - ProHEALTH, an OPTUM Company, Senior Fellow for Infectious Disease - UHG Research and Development, Clinical Instructor of Medicine - Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Medicine-Division of Infectious Diseases
Dickson Despommier

Dickson D. Despommier, PhD

Emeritus Professor with appointments in: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Columbia University 1971-present
Charles A. Knirsch

Charles A. Knirsch, MD, MPH

Vice President, Clinical Research and Development
Peter Hotez

Peter J. Hotez MD PhD FAAP FASTMH

Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine
Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine
Director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair of Tropical Pediatrics
Vincent Racaniello

Vincent Racaniello, Ph.D.

Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons

Our Mission

Parasites Without Borders was founded as a direct response to the question: What can I do to help eliminate human suffering due to parasitic infections? One answer is to lead to one's strengths. For us the choice was easy; more and better education for all those in a position to apply medical knowledge directly to populations most in need of solutions to alleviate the burden of parasitic diseases.

Our three founders have had a lifetime of experience in teaching parasitic diseases to students of medicine, both within the U.S.A. and abroad. The mission statement is clear; we want to help bring the latest medical and basic biological information pertaining to diseases caused by eukaryotic parasites to every practicing physician and medical student within the United States.

Altruism among the medically trained U.S. corp of physicians is legend, and enjoys a rich history of interactions in the tropics around the world. The main problem is that while many U.S. doctors volunteer their services in the less developed world, they then encounter infectious entities that they have never before even heard of. We want to address this glaring omission in their education by supplying them with a comprehensive textbook on the subject of parasitic diseases and their management. In addition, we will offer an online course based on our book that will enable each student the opportunity of becoming certified in parasitic diseases once they have successfully completed the course.

Receive updates about Parasites without Borders initiatives, developments, and learn more about parasites by subscribing to our periodic newsletter.


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Parasites Without Borders

A comprehensive educational resource on all aspects of parasitic diseases and their impact on humanity around the globe.

Donate to Parasites Without Borders today!

Help bring the latest medical and basic biological information pertaining to diseases caused by eukaryotic parasites to every practicing physician and medical student within the United States.

Scroll to Top