Welcome to our “Meet the Editors” series, where we interview the editorial team about their work and their relationship to the journal. In this post we meet Mercedes Didier Garnham, Social Media Editor for Parasitology.

What is your current job title both within Parasitology and outside the journal? Where are you based in the world?

I serve as a Social Media Editor for Parasitology, collaborating within a team of social media managers at the journal to manage and grow its social media presence. I am based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In addition to my editorial role, I am a PhD candidate at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas of the Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM). My research centers on building chemoinformatics pipelines to repurpose drug candidates for Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that poses significant health challenges in Latin America.

Alongside my doctoral work, I am a professor of bioinformatics and informatics at both UNSAM and Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, where I enjoy teaching and mentoring students in computational biology and data analysis. I am also an active volunteer with RSG Argentina, a community that supports early-career bioinformaticians in the region. Passionate about science communication, I strive to make complex scientific topics accessible and engaging to diverse audiences through outreach and educational initiatives.

In a few sentences, please describe the focus of your work. Which parasites do you study? What is the goal of your research? What approaches do you use in your work?

My research focuses on Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness affecting approximately 8 million people worldwide, primarily in Latin America. Current treatments are limited and often cause significant side effects, highlighting the urgent need for novel, effective therapies.

I develop chemoinformatics pipelines that repurpose data from model organisms to prioritize potential therapeutic candidates for Chagas disease. After prioritization, I test these candidates in vitro to assess their efficacy. A major challenge in my work is the scarcity of high-quality data for neglected diseases like Chagas, which restricts the range of compounds that can be effectively prioritized.

Ultimately, my goal is to discover safer, more effective treatments that can improve the lives of millions affected by this disease.

When did you first become interested in parasitology as a field? Did a particular teacher or mentor direct your career path?

When I chose to pursue a career in science, I knew I wanted to focus on human health. During my undergraduate thesis, I encountered parasites and specifically Chagas disease for the first time. Learning about this neglected disease and its impact on vulnerable populations in Latin America deeply motivated me and I decided to dedicate my research efforts to this area.

Following my undergraduate experience, I chose to continue working on Chagas disease for my PhD. I am fortunate to be part of a lab and institute with a strong and longstanding commitment to this field. Being surrounded by passionate and dedicated researchers provides an enriching environment that inspires me to contribute meaningfully to improving treatments for this neglected illness.

How did you first become familiar with Parasitology?

I first became familiar with Parasitology during my visit to Cambridge in November 2024, when I participated in the Future Innovators Mentorships organized by the Biodata Developers Network. Since then, I have regularly followed and read publications from Cambridge University Press, including Parasitology, which has helped me stay updated with the latest research in the field.

What motivated you to become a social media editor at Parasitology?

I’m enthusiastic about sharing scientific knowledge, and I believe that clear, accessible communication strengthens both the scientific community and its connection with the general public. As a social media editor at Parasitology, I see an opportunity to contribute to a more engaged and informed scientific dialogue, while helping research in parasitology reach broader and more diverse audiences.

What is the best part of working with Parasitology?

The best part of working with Parasitology is having the chance to collaborate with amazing professionals in the field. It’s an inspiring environment where I get to learn from experienced researchers and contribute to a community that shares my passion for parasitology.

What advice would you give to those new to social media? How can they successfully interact with social media to broaden their scientific outreach?

I think social media is a powerful tool that should be embraced just like any other scientific tool, whether it’s a strong CV, a well-designed poster, or volunteering at a conference. Having an active social media presence can open up new opportunities, help build your network, and make it easier to stay up to date with the latest scientific discoveries. My advice is to engage genuinely: follow researchers or journals that inspire you, share content that reflects your interests, and don’t be afraid to contribute to conversations. You never know where a tweet or post might lead!

What advice would you give to early career researchers who are just starting out in parasitology as a field?

My advice is to identify the key researchers in the field of the parasite or topic you’re most interested in, and follow their work closely: read their publications, attend their talks, and take their courses if possible. You can learn a lot from their scientific output, but also from their career paths: how they navigated challenges, made decisions, and found opportunities. Learning from others’ experiences is incredibly valuable, especially early on, and can help you shape your own path in parasitology.