Ph.D. Genetics and Molecular Biology - 1995 Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
M.S. Genetics and Molecular Biology - 1987 Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
Eva Sapi is an internationally recognized expert in Lyme disease research. She is on the front lines of searching for a cure for a disease that the Centers for Disease Control say is the fastest- growing vector-borne disease in the United States.
See MoreShe was the first to discover the presence of Borrelia biofilm in human infected skin tissue, a finding that was published in the European Journal of Microbiology & Immunology, an international peer-reviewed online journal, representing one of her 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers on Lyme disease. The director of the University’s Lyme Disease Research Program, Dr. Sapi has trained more than 90 graduate students in Lyme disease research.
Dr. Sapi’s current research, with James Goldman, a Columbia University professor of pathology and cell biology, centers on a case in which a woman received 16 years of antibiotic therapy and still died from Lyme disease. Their findings – published in Healthcare 2018 – supported her earlier discoveries that Borrelia can form biofilm, a protective layer around itself, making it extremely resistant to antibiotics.
Dr. Sapi and her students are continuing to study a recent breakthrough in which they found that liquid, whole-leaf stevia extract — not the powdered varieties that people most commonly use — have reduced the biofilm mass by about 40 percent.
The goal of her research is to ultimately identify novel antibacterial agents that are effective in killing all forms of Borrelia.
Recognized by Massachusetts General/Harvard Medical School for her Lyme disease research, Dr. Sapi was named a research trailblazer by LymeDisease.org in 2018. She’s shared her findings at conferences around the country and organized six Lyme Disease Symposiums at the University of New Haven, which regularly draw 200 participants, and she has received the Lyme Connection of Ridgefield’s Courage Award.
Dr. Sapi’s initial research focused on breast and ovarian cancer. She shifted her focus to finding a better treatment for Lyme disease after contracting the disease herself. She did her post-doctoral training at Yale University’s School of Medicine and received her Ph.D. in genetics at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary.
Lyme Disease, Pathogenic Biofilm, Antibiotics Resistance, Different Morphology of Borrelia burgdorferi
Here is another milestone paper from our research group. We are investigating the potential link between breast cancer and Lyme disease. In this first paper, we have used normal and breast cancer cells and infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacteria, and we found that it made the cancer cells more invasive, at least in a test tube. The authors on this paper are graduate students from the University of New Haven and the study was conducted during the pandemic when research was very difficult.
Click here to read the milestone research paper: Effect of Invasion of Borrelia burgdorferi in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells.
Theophilus, Priyanka Annabel Sugantham, Victoria, Maria J., Socarras, Kayla, Filush, Katherine R, Gupta, Khusali, Luecke, David F., Sapi, Eva. "Effectiveness of Stevia Rebaudiana Whole Leaf Extract Against the Various Morphological Forms of Borrelia Burgdoreri in Vitro." European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 5 (2015) 4, pp. 268–280. DOI: 10.1556/1886.2015.00031
Read full article
Evidence for the Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi Biofilm in Infected Mouse Heart Tissues:
Borrelia burgdorferi Co-Localizing with Amyloid Markers in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Tissues:
Senejani A, Maghsoudlou J, El-Zohiry D, Gaur G, Wawrzeniak K, Caravaglia C, Khatri V, MacDonald A, Sapi E (2022), Borrelia burgdorferi Co-Localizing with Amyloid Markers in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Tissues. J Alzheimers Dis; 85(2):889-903. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215398.
Gaur G, Sawant J, Chavan A, Khatri V, Liu Y, Zhang M, Sapi E (2021), Effect of Invasion of Borrelia burgdorferi in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells. Antibiotics (Basel), 10(11):1295. DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111295.
See MoreSapi E, Gupta K, Wawrzeniak K, Gaur, G, Torres J, Filush K, Melillo A, Zlger B (2019) Borrelia and Chlamydia Can Form Mixed Biofilms in Infected Human Skin Tissues. Healthcare (Basel), 9(2), pii 46-55, doi: 10.1556/1886.2019.00003
Middelveen MJ, Filush KR, Bandoski C, Kasilawla RS, Melillo A, Stricker RB, Sapi E (2019) Mixed Borrelia burgdorferi and Helicobacter pylori Biofilms in Morgellons Disease Dermatological Specimens. Healthcare (Basel), 7(2), pii 70, doi: 10.3390/healthcare7020070
Sapi E, Kasliwala RS, Ismail H, Torres JP, Oldakowski M, Markland S, Gaur G, Melillo A, Eisendle K, Liegner K, Libien J, Goldman J (2019) The Long-Term Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi Antigens and DNA in the Tissues of a Patient with Lyme Disease. Antibiotics, 8(4), pii 183, doi: 10.3390/antibiotics8040183
Soccaras, KM, Theophilus PAS, Torres, JP, Gupta K, Sapi E (2017) Antimicrobial activity of bee venom and mellittin against Borrelia. Antibiotics (Basel), 29;6(4), pii E70, doi: 10.3390/antibiotics6040031
Middelveen MJ, Sapi E, Burke J, Filush KR, Franco A, Fesler MC, Stricker RB. (2018) Persistent Borrelia infection in patients with ongoing symptoms of Lyme disease. Healthcare, 6, 33, pii E33, doi: 10.3390/healthcare602003
Sapi E, Gupta, K, Wawrzeniak K, Gauri G, Torres J, Filush KR, Melillo A, Zelger B. (2019) Borrelia and Chlamydia can form mixed biofilms in infected human skin tissues. European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology, 9(2), 46-55. doi: 10.1556/1886.2019.00003
Middelveen MJ, Filush KR, Stricker RB, Sapi, E. Mixed Borrelia and Helicobacter pylori biofilms in Morgellons disease dermatological specimens (2019) Healthcare, 17,7(2). pii: E70. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7020070.
Sapi E, Balasubramanian K, Poruri A, Maghsoudlou JS, Theophilus, PAS, Socarras KM,
Timmaraju AV, Filush KR, Gupta K, Shaikh, S, Luecke DF, MacDonald A, Zelger B. (2016)
Evidence of in vivo existence of borrelia biofilm in borrelial lymphocytomas European
Journal of Microbiology and Immunology, DOI:
Sapi E, Theophilus, PAS, Burugu D, Luecke DF. (2016) Effect of Rpon, Rpos and Luxs
pathways on the biofilm formation and antibiotic sensitivity of Borrelia burgdorferi.
European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology, Dec 1; 6(4): 272–286.
Shaikh S, Timmaraju VA, Torres JP, Socarras KM, PAS, Sapi E. (2016) Influence of tick
and mammalian physiological temperatures on Borrelia burgdorferi biofilms. Microbiology,
Nov;162(11):1984-1995. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.000380.
Theophilus, PAS, Victoria MJ, Socarras KM, Filush KR, Gupta K, Luecke DF, Sapi E.
(2015) Effectiveness of Stevia rebaudiana whole leaf extract against the various morphological
forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology,
doi: 10.1556/1886.2015.00031
Timmaraju A, Theophilus PAS, Balasubramanian K, Luecke DF and Sapi E. Biofilm formation
by European Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains in vitro. (2015) FEMS Letters,
doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnv120. Epub 2015 Jul 24.
Sapi E, Pabbati N, Datar D, Davies EM, Rattalle A, Kuo B.A. (2013) Culture conditions
for the growth and detection of Borrelia from human serum. International Journal of
Medical Sciences 10(4):362-376. doi:10.7150/ijms.5698.
Sapi E, Bastian SL, Mpoy CM, Scott S, Rattelle A, Pabbati N, Poruri A, Burugu D, Theophilus
PAS, Pham TV, Datar D, Dhaliwal NK, Timmaraju A Rossi MJ, Sinha SK, MacDonald A and
Luecke DF. (2012) Characterization of biofilm formation by Borrelia burgdorferi in
vitro. PLoS ONE October 7(10): e48277.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, had her research article, “Evidence for the Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi Biofilm in Infected Mouse Heart Tissues,” featured on the cover of the September volume of “Microorganisms.”
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, had her research cited. She found in a preliminary study that whole stevia leaf extract potentially possesses exceptional antibiotic activity against the exceedingly difficult-to-treat pathogen Borrelia Burgdorferi known to cause Lyme disease discussed due to the impact of its phytochemicals.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, comments on the importance of getting antibiotics once it is known that Lyme bacteria has entered your body.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, discusses the latest research for Lyme disease and what coinfections can be found in ticks.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, discusses her career researching Lyme disease and training more than 100 graduate students looking to find a cure.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and coordinator of the M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, had her preliminary study on whole stevia leaf extract potentially possessing exceptional antibiotic activity against the exceedingly difficult to treat pathogen Borrelia Burgdorferi known to cause Lyme disease discussed for the impact of its phytochemicals.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental sciences, comments on a test that detects antiphospholipid antibodies in the blood of Lyme disease patients.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, says a protocol of two of the six microbial defense herbals included in the CSP, Banderol, and Samento were found to eliminate all forms of Borrelia burgdorferi.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology, environmental science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, comments on protection from tick bites as the peak season draws near.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environment science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, comments that Lyme disease is heading for pandemic status classification.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environment science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, says we have to work on a vaccine for Lyme Disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environment science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, comments on the numerous strains of Lyme Disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environment science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, comments that ticks may be found almost anywhere, including the beach.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science and coordinator of M.S. Cellular & Molecular Biology, comments on research that can help spread awareness that ticks are not just in the woods.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, has been honored by Hearst Newspapers as one of four women who have pioneered research in medicine, manufacturing, genetics and astronomy.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, talks about her research and the long-term effects of Lyme Disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on tick season being worse this year due to the mild winter.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments that this will be a bad year for tick-borne illnesses.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on the similarities of COVID-19 and Lyme Disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments that the number of people stuck inside may let their guard down going outdoors.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on how ticks are surging from a mild winter.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on the “perfect storm” for tick-borne illnesses from the mild winter and coronavirus.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, talks about the overlapping symptoms of Lyme disease and COVID-19.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on the increase in Lyme disease and EEE as the pandemic is causing people to be outdoors.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor of biology and environmental science, comments on her research and a possible link of Lyme Disease and breast cancer.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, collaborated on a recently published paper in the prestigious journal Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, discusses how she came to focus on Lyme disease and her discovery of the Borrelia bacteria.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, is presenting at the LivLyme Summit as one of the world’s leading Lyme experts.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, and director of the Lyme Disease program, shares a few little-known facts about Lyme, and how her own diagnosis inspired her dedicate her career to better understanding the disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, and director of the Lyme Disease programs, discusses how Lyme can invade the immune system.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, professor, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology, and director of the Lyme Disease program, discusses her research and recent publication on Lyme Disease.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, coordinator of cellular and molecular biology and professor of biology and environmental science, oversaw a research project which revealed that mixed bacterial are present within Morgellons disease skin specimens.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, director of the Lyme Disease Program and chair of biology and environmental science, and her team of researchers found Stevia is more effective to fight Lyme disease than antibiotics.
In the Media
Eva Sapi, director of the Lyme Disease Program and chair of biology and environmental science, and her team of researchers reveals experimental results that conclude stevia extract is more effective than antibiotics in curing Lyme disease.
Eva Sapi, director of the Lyme Disease Program and chair of biology and environmental science, was a speaker at the 2018 LivLyme Foundation Gala where she was recognized for her research on Lyme Disease.
Dr. Eva Sapi and her team of researchers have discovered that Stevia is more effective in a test tube than antibiotics at killing B. burgdorferi, a bacteria strain that causes Lyme disease.
Researchers at the University of New Haven have discovered that bee venom and bee venom extract are more effective in a test tube than antibiotics at killing Borrelia burgdoferi, a bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
University of New Haven researchers have found, in laboratory tests, that Stevia may be more effective than antibiotics at treating complications from Lyme disease.
University of New Haven researchers have discovered that, in a test tube, stevia leaf extract kills B. Burgdorferi, a bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Their work is now being used in clinical trials in New York.
Eva Sapi, professor of biology, notes that liquid Stevia is more effective in the test tube in killing the Lyme disease bacteria than traditional antibiotics. The treatment is now being tested in New York on humans.
Eva Sapi, associate professor of biology, discusses her study of using Stevia to kill the bacterium, Borrelia Burgdorferi, which causes the tick-borne disease.
Eva Sapi, associate professor of biology, has found that the liquid form of Stevia is more effective than antibiotics given to patients to help cure Lyme disease.
Eva Sapi, associate professor of biology, has discovered that the liquid form of Stevia may be a cure for Lyme disease.
Eva Sapi, associate professor of biology, has discovered that Stevia extract, works better to kill the bacteria that causes Lyme disease than antibiotics do. Her work in the laboratory is now being tested on humans in New York.
This story reports on findings by Eva Sapi, professor of biology, who found Stevia kills the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease better than antibiotics. Her work in a test tube is now being tested on humans.
This story reports on findings by Eva Sapi, professor of biology, who found Stevia kills the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease better than antibiotics. Her work in a test tube is now being tested on humans.
Eva Sapi, associate professor of biology, has found that the liquid form of Stevia has killed more bacteria than antibiotics that are typically given to patients to cure Lyme disease.
A study conducted by the biology and environmental science department suggest that a natural product such as Stevia leaf extract could be considered as an effective agent against Lyme’s Disease.
Researchers from the department of biology and environmental science developed a study that found that stevia whole leaf extract, as an individual agent, was effective against Lyme disease. The study is titled, "Effectiveness of Stevia Rebaudiana Whole Leaf Extract Against the Morphological Forms of Borrelia Burgdorferi in Vitro."