Research in the White laboratory focuses on the Apicomplexan protozoans which are responsible for a significant burden of infectious disease in the world.  Malarial parasites are the most infamous members of this phylum as  they are responsible for enormous human suffering and mortality---killing annually more than a million children in Africa alone.  Five hundred million individuals are estimated by WHO to suffer  from malaria world-wide.

   The coccidian members of the Apicomplexa such as Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium cause opportunistic infections in humans particularly immunocompromised individuals such as those infected with the HIV virus.  The lay-person may know Toxoplasma from  cautions given pregnant women to avoid contact with the cat box because infections with this parasite can cause birth defects or miscarriages.  Other coccidians including the Eimeria, Neospora, and Isopora, are important in veterinary medicine, causing serious systemic, enteric, and respiratory disease in livestock.