James Thomas is a molecular geneticist in the laboratory of Dr Rob Moon. He works on understanding the basic biology of the human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi. He has studied invasion of, and egress from, red blood cells by the malaria parasite and has a continued interest in this field of study. Currently he works on understanding gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium knowlesi: the commitment of the malaria parasite to development of the sexual stages of its lifecycle which are required for transmission from humans to the mosquito vector.