MEET THE AVECNET-SPONSORED PHD CANDIDATES
Capacity building is a critical part of the AvecNet project and is essential to enhance the sustainability of project activities and the eventual implementation of new or improved tools. Consequently, a PhD training program, with a total of 6 studentships, has been built into the 5-year duration of the project. The first three PhD students to be recruited will be addressing the causes and consequences of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Tanzania.
| Work Packages | Project Title | Candidate Name and Nationality |
| 2 | Characterisation of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors from Valle de Kou and its impact on current control strategies | Hyacinthe Kobie Toé Burkinabe |
| 2 | Investigating selection pressures influencing pyrethroid resistance in An gambiae s.l. | Theresia Estomih Nkya Tanzanian |
| 2 | Genetics of multiple insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae from Côte d’Ivoire and its impact on current control strategies | Ako Victorien Constant Edi Cote D’Ivorie |
| 3/7 | Behavioural responses of African malaria vectors to insecticides | Josephine Parker British |
| 5/10 | Maximising the translation potential of new malaria control tools through application of health economics and policy analysis | Kemi Tesfazghi Nigerian/British |
| 7 | Ecological determinants of African malaria vector behaviour and their implications for control | Deodatus Maliti Tanzanian |
Ako Victorien Constant Edi
Ako, a medical entomologist, from Cote d’Ivoire is based at Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique and is registered for a PhD at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Edi’s PhD research project is entitled “Genetics of multiple insecticides resistance in Anopheles gambiae from Tiassale, Cote d’Ivoire and its impact on current control strategies”. His initial field work has already demonstrated exceptionally high levels of resistance to the majority of WHO approved insecticides in malaria vectors in Cote d’Ivoire. He will use molecular techniques to investigate the causes of this resistance and hopefully eventually study the link between resistance and vectorial capacity in the malaria vectors in this region.
Edi, who enjoys travelling and keeps himself fit by engaging in sporting activities, is very hopeful that his PhD research findings will contribute towards enhancing effectiveness of vector control strategies in Cote d’Ivoire and beyond. Watch this space for updates on his progress.
Theresia Estomih Nkya
Theresia is a Tanzanian national based at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Amani Medical Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. A holder of Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Theresia has embarked on PhD studies with AvecNet sponsorship. Her PhD studies will be a joint program between two academic institutions, namely Grenoble University in France and Tumanini University in Tanzania with NIMR providing a platform for the field work.
Tanzania, just like many other developing countries affected by malaria, is experiencing increasing levels of insecticide resistance which negatively affect malaria control efforts. Theresia’s PhD research project is entitled “Investigating selection pressures influencing pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae s.s.”. She will be comparing resistance levels in different ecological sites and evaluating the key determinants of resistance.
In her spare time, Theresia enjoys watching movies, reading novels and socialising. As she embarks on her PhD studies, she is determined to contribute towards efforts to mitigate the negative impact of malaria on the socioeconomic development of Tanzania in particular and developing countries in general.
Hyacinthe Kobie Toé
Hyacinthe, born in Cote d’Ivoire, is a Burkinabe national. He was awarded an International Masters in Medical and Veterinary Entomology in 2010 and is currently based at the Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP) in Burkina Faso. Toé’s PhD topic is ‘Characterisation of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors from Valle de Kou, Burkina Faso, and its impact on current control strategies’ and is jointly supervised by CNRFP, Centre Muraz (Burkina Faso) and LSTM, UK. He began his field work in July 2011 and has already confirmed that the levels of resistance to pyrethroids in An gambiae from the rice growing area of Valle de Kou are very high. He will soon be travelling to the UK to receive further training in molecular techniques needed to investigate the genetic basis of this resistance.
Toé’s hobbies include reading science news, watching nature documentaries, listening to music and watching sport in the stadium or on TV.
Toé wants to contribute to fighting malaria vectors through better management of the high level of insecticide resistance in Burkina Faso where malaria is the principal cause of mortality in children.