An investigation into the mysterious inner workings of the malaria parasite has revealed that it survives and proliferates in the human bloodstream thanks in part to a single, crucial chemical that the parasite produces internally.

UCSF experts in women’s health, patient safety, information technology and advancing research will present the “Unusual Thinkers” track at the Dreamforce conference on Thursday.

The UCSF team came in third place overall in AIDS Walk San Francisco 2011 raising $55,000 in the annual event to benefit HIV/AIDS programs and services in the San Francisco Bay Area.