How parasitic worms could change the future of inflammation research

When most people hear “tapeworm,” they cringe. For Parker Volk, it sparks curiosity.

That curiosity led the fourth-year PhD student at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine to explore a surprising question: Could parasitic worms hold the key to new treatments for chronic inflammation?

Volk studies the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, a parasite that has evolved remarkable strategies to survive inside its host. Over millions of years, these worms have perfected ways to calm the immune system so they aren’t expelled. 

One of their tricks? Releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs) — tiny fat-bound packets filled with proteins and genetic material. These vesicles act like molecular messages, telling immune cells to stand down.

Volk's research zeroes in on how these vesicles interact with macrophages, the immune system’s “first responders.” By understanding this interaction, he hopes to uncover mechanisms that could be repurposed to treat autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, where inflammation spirals out of control. 

Scientists have long suspected that worm-derived molecules could help manage inflammation better than conventional drugs, and Volk’s work is helping to unravel how that might work.

Cracking the code of immune control

This work isn’t easy. The field of EVs is relatively new, and Volk faced challenges early on. The McKay lab, where Volks is conducting his work, had never worked with EVs before, so he had to assist in establishing protocols from scratch. 

The scientific community is still debating methods and terminology, which meant that navigating the literature and designing experiments required a steep learning curve. 

With guidance from his supervisor, Dr. Derek McKay, PhD, and support from colleagues, Volk developed techniques that now advance both his project and the wider parasitology research community at UCalgary.

The potential impact is twofold: improving science's ability to fight parasitic infections, and exploring worm-derived therapies for inflammatory diseases. 

Volk describes his goal as “getting into the worm’s head” — understanding what these vesicles are doing and why. It’s a puzzle that could lead to breakthroughs in medicine.

Finding community in the microscopic world

Volk’s research is part of UCalgary’s Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) program, the largest parasitology research group in Canada. 

HPI brings together more than 75 trainees and 19 researchers from across disciplines, including medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science and the arts. 

The program uses parasitology as a platform to prepare the next generation of scientific leaders equipped to address national and global challenges related to human, animal, environmental and economic health.

For Volk, becoming part of this multidisciplinary community was a major draw. 

“One of my fondest early memories is going to the Host-Parasite Interactions Group’s September retreat during my first month at UCalgary, where I went in knowing no one and met a lot of fellow parasitologists,” he says. 

That sense of connection and shared purpose continues to shape his experience at the university.

Turning tapeworms into talk-worthy science

His fascination with worms extends far beyond the lab bench, driving a passion for science communication that earned him first place and the People’s Choice Award at UCalgary’s 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. 

The talk, "Friend and foe? Looking for new anti-inflammatories from parasitic worms," also secured second place at the Western Regional 3MT in Victoria, B.C., and a spot at the National 3MT Showcase in Ottawa in November.

Crafting a three-minute version of his thesis was no small feat. Tapeworms aren’t exactly dinner-table conversation, so Volk leaned into humour and storytelling to make the topic relatable. 

Opening with a playful hook that invited the audience to imagine life as a tapeworm, he built a narrative that explained the big picture before diving into the science. The result was a talk that transformed “gross” into "engaging" and earned him accolades across the country.

The road from Calgary to the capital

Heading into the national stage, Volk keeps his sights on the science behind the worms. His ultimate goal is to map out how these worm vesicles influence the immune system and explore their potential as anti-inflammatory agents. 

Beyond research, Volk is committed to outreach and inspiring curiosity about parasites. 

“I’ve gained a reputation as the ‘worm guy,’ and I’d like to keep that going,” he says. Volk credits his success to a strong support network, including his supervisor, his committee, and his colleagues, whose guidance he says has been key to his progress and achievements.

Parker Volk presents at the 2025 National 3MT Showcase on Nov. 6. Stay tuned to grad.ucalgary.ca and the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for updates and event coverage.