Dr James Logan BSc PhD FRES
- 443
- LSHTM
- Keppel Street
- London
- WC1E 7HT
- T: +44 (0)207 927 2008
- F: +44 (0)207 927 2918
James gained a first class BSc honours degree in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen in 2001, where he worked on biting midge sex pheromones for his dissertation. Following this degree he continued to work at the University of Aberdeen as a Research Assistant investigating mosquito oviposition pheromones. In 2006 James completed an award-winning PhD investigating why some people are bitten more than others by mosquitoes and midges: “Differential responses of the yellow fever mosquito and the Scottish biting midge to human host odours”. He then continued work at Rothamsted as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist, leading a group of researchers within the Chemical Ecology Programme.
James joined the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM in 2010 where he now runs his own research group as well as the LSHTM Arthropod Control Product Test Centre (arctec).
He is currently the Deputy Research Degree Coordinator for the Department of Disease Control, a member of the LSHTM Repository Steering Committee and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
James is also an avid science communicator andis a Science Ambassador for the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) which aims to inspire young people in science. He has appeared on TV shows including BBC’s The One Show and Bang Goes the Theory, The Discovery Channel’s Weird Connections and Squeamish, and many more. He also makes regular appearances on television, radio and in print media as a presenter and scientific expert.
Affiliation
Teaching
James teaches on several MSc courses including Biology & Control of Disease Vectors, Medical Parasitology, Control of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and International Health, Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and the short course on Travel Medicine.
James also supervises several PhD projects and MSc summer projects. He is currently the Deputy Research Degree Coordinator for the Department of Disease Control.
Research
My main research is in chemical ecology and concentrates on the development of novel methods to monitor and control medically and veterinary important arthropods. This involves understanding behaviour and olfaction in nuisance and vector arthropods through:
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understanding the interaction between insects and human hosts at the olfactory and behavioural level – particularly host and non-host interactions and how insects detect semiochemicals from human hosts and how semiochemicals are produced
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investigating other aspects of insect ecology including aggregation, mating and oviposition in a variety of insects
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elucidating the mode of action of new (and current) monitoring and control techniques
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evaluating and exploiting the above for the development of new or improved control technologies
We use various techniques in our research, including field and laboratory-based behavioural experiments, coupled gas chromatography-electroantennograms (GC-EAG), coupled GC-single-cell (GC-SCR) and analytical chemistry (including GC and GC-MS). This integrated approach gives us a better understanding of how insects use semiochemicals naturally and how we can exploit them to develop control strategies through behavioural manipulation. Ultimately, the aim is to attain effective control using semiochemicals that will allow more targeting use of control agents such as insecticides.
Current research projects:
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Olfactory mechanisms underlying behavioural manipulation of mosquitoes by malaria parasites (BBSRC funded)
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Monitoring and Intervention Strategies for BT Virus Epidemics in Rural India (BBSRC-DfID funded)
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Innovative tools and strategies for the surveillance and control of dengue
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Dengue Tools (EU FP7 funded)
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Identifications and development of novel repellents from human odours
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Development of novel control methods for bed bugs and identification of bed bug aggregation pheromones
PhD studentships:
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Flies and Eyes: developing traps for sampling the trachoma vector, Musca sorbens (Julie Bristow)
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Defining the role of semiochemicals in host location and selection by UK Culicoides spp. biting midges (James Cook; collaborative project with the Institute for Animal Health)
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European and UK ticks and tick-borne viruses (Stacey Leech; collaborative project with the Health Protection Agency)
Arthropod Control Product Test Centre (arctec)
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has an outstanding reputation as a world leading authority on vector and disease control and has provided a testing service for arthropod control materials for over 20 years.
The testing facility was rebranded as arctec in 2010 after significant investment from LSHTM. This has allowed us to expand our range and scope of services and activities. Visit our website at http://www.arctec.lshtm.ac.uk
The facility is now operated by an experienced team led by Dr James Logan who has over 10 years experience in insect control. Our unique in-house expertise and rigorous protocols ensure that we remain one of the most reputable and competitive institutions for the testing of arthropod control products in the world.
Our aim is to maintain this level of excellence and to continue to provide rapid and extensive services, from product development in the laboratory, to testing in semi-field and field conditions. arctec is an integral part of the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM and through using our services our clients gain unique access to the expertise and experience of our world-renowned team and facilities.
Research areas
- Clinical trials
- Insects
- Parasites
- Public health
Disciplines
- Biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Parasitology
- Vector biology
Disease and Health Conditions
- Bluetongue virus
- Malaria
- Trachoma
Other interests
- Chemical Ecology
- medical and veterinary entomology
