Research overview

Drawing from a multidisciplinary background and expertise in entomology, parasitology, microbiology, genomics and bioinformatics, I am broadly interested in understanding the microbial mechanisms that underlie diverse living and non-living systems. I have led or been involved in research at the intersection of the (micro)biology, ecology/microbial ecology, evolution and control of parasites and disease vectors at leading research and public health institutions around the world, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Research Institute Pour Le Développement, France; the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research; Kenya Medical Research Insititute; the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin and Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

My research efforts are now largely concentrated on the evolution of microbe-mediated phenotypic variations in multicellular organisms as a function of biotic and abiotic factors. I currently lead a research program that is aimed at understanding how microbes (both host and environmentally-derived) shape the evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. And I use a combination of molecular, ‘omics and classsical (micro)biology tools, as well as bioinformatics, to explore this in wild mosquito populations and/or their progeny in laboratory settings. I also founded and lead the Mosquito Microbiome Consortium, a collaborative initiative for advancing mosquito microbiome research, particularly from laboratory to field applications. I am highly involved in other initiatives (for example G-AVENIR) that are focused on expanding disease vector genomics research in Africa–in particular, I am working towards establishing sustainable bioinformatics resources and capacity on the continent.

I am driven by a passion for mentoring and training the next generation of scientists, as well as closing the gaps in research capacity, talent and resources in the Global South, particularly Africa.