Our primary research interest is the assembly and regulation of the mammalian cytoskeleton, with focus on red blood cells and platelets. We study the function of cytoskeletal and signaling proteins in diseases that afflict blood cells, particularly the Plasmodium falciparum malaria, babesiosis, sickle cell disease, and thrombosis. Currently, we are investigating the molecular mechanisms of malaria parasite-infected human red blood cells adhesion to brain endothelial cells. We also study the role of the cysteine protease, calpain-1, in sickle cell disease and thrombosis. We generated the mouse models of calpain-1, p55/MPP1, dematin/protein 4.9, Band 3/Anion exchanger-1 (SLC4A1), KIF13B/GAKIN, and KIF13A deficiency, contributing to the mechanisms of lipid transport, PTP1B regulation, and calcium mobilization.