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Carlos Gustavo Baptista, PhD

Research Assistant Professor
  • Parasitology
Headshot of Carlos Gustavo Baptista.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology
VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia Tech
205 Duck Pond Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
cgbaptis@vt.edu

Dr. Carlos Gustavo Baptista is a Research Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech, specializing in molecular parasitology with a focus on Toxoplasma gondii. His research explores how ubiquitination pathways regulate stage-specific gene expression in protozoan parasites. By investigating F-box proteins, Dr. Baptista is pioneering new insights into SCF-E3 ubiquitin ligase complex function in T. gondii, with implications for parasite replication and differentiation.

Originally from Brazil, Dr. Baptista developed his research foundation through a strong academic trajectory spanning the University of São Paulo, and the University at Buffalo. His work integrates cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics, applying cutting-edge approaches to dissect parasite biology. His ultimate goal is to establish an independent research program that uncovers the molecular mechanisms underpinning parasitic survival and pathogenesis.

PhD, Biochemistry, 2017
University of São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil

MS, Biological Sciences, 2013
Institute Carlos Chaga
FIOCRUZ, Brazil

BS, Biological Sciences, 2005
State University of Northern Paraná
Northern Paraná, Brazil

  • Ubiquitination and SCF-E3 ligase function in Toxoplasma gondii
  • Stage-specific gene regulation in Apicomplexan parasites
  • Metabolic pathways in Trypanosoma cruzi
  • F-box protein function in protozoan pathogens
  • Intracellular parasite replication and differentiation

2025–present
Research Assistant Professor
Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

2024–present
Research Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

2020–present
Reviewer
Experimental Parasitoloty

2022–2024
Research Scientist
University at Buffalo
Amherst, NY

2017–2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
University at Buffalo
Amherst, NY

  • Brazilian Society of Protozoology
  • Microbiology and Immunology Award in Memory of Felix Milgrom, University at Buffalo, 2019
  • Zigman Brener Award, Brazilian Society of Protozoology, 2016
  • Invited speaker at Molecular Parasitology Meeting, 2019, 2021
  • Fellowship recipient from CNPq and FIOCRUZ, Brazil
  • Baptista, C.G. et al. (2024). The Toxoplasma gondii F-box Protein L2 Functions as a Repressor of Stage Specific Gene Expression. PLoS Pathogens, 20(5), e1012269.
  • Baptista, C.G. et al. (2019). Toxoplasma F-box Protein 1 is Required for Daughter Cell Scaffold Function During Parasite Replication. PLoS Pathogens, 15(7), e1007946.
  • Alencar, M.B., Baptista, C.G. et al. (2025). The Role of L-Serine and L-Threonine in Energy Metabolism and Stress Response in Trypanosoma cruzi. mSphere (Accepted).
  • Sreenivasamurthy, S.K., Baptista, C.G. et al. (2025). PfFBXO1 is Essential for Inner Membrane Complex Formation in Plasmodium falciparum. Communications Biology, 8(1), 190.
  • Mandalasi, M.N., Baptista, C.G. et al. (2024). Skp1 Glycosylation Mediates Oxygen-Dependent Regulation of F-box Proteins in Toxoplasma gondii. J. Biol. Chem., 300(11), 107801.
  • Gustavo Baptista's profile on ORCID

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