I am an early-career researcher from The Gambia. I am an experienced entomologist and public health researcher with over 20 years of expertise in malaria vector biology, insecticide resistance and molecular genetics. I hold a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology of Infectious Pathogens from the University of Ghana. My PhD addressed the interplay between insecticide resistance, genetic diversity and behavioral changes in malaria vectors.
I have worked as a Higher Scientific Officer at MRCG@LSHTM, contributing to studies on parasite and vector genetics, resistance surveillance and clinical drug trials. I also played a leading role in COVID-19 diagnosis and surveillance in The Gambia during the pandemic.
I did my first postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine, USA (2022-2025), where I contributed to projects developing RNA interference (RNAi)-based oral pesticides for the control of mosquito vectors and agricultural pests. Currently, I am undertaking my second postdoctoral fellowship at MRCG@LSHTM, leading a study investigating potential molecular mechanisms of ivermectin (IVM) resistance in malaria vectors. This builds on my earlier proof-of-concept study demonstrating the mosquitocidal effect of IVM-treated surfaces on malaria vectors, which earned me recognition from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) in 2023.
Teaching
I am an online tutor in Public Health and have previously led distance-learning modules in Environmental Health at NextGen.org Public Health University in the United States. I also engage in academic mentoring, training and the development of instructional materials for both laboratory and field-based learning.
I have recently secured a contributing lecturer position to teach M.Sc. students in Cell Biology and Genetics at the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Research
My research interests are in mosquito vector genetics and insecticide resistance. I have contributed to both field-based vector surveillance and advanced laboratory research. I am also passionate about advancing evidence-based interventions for malaria elimination in SSA.
I am currently working on a project investigating the potential molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying ivermectin resistance in malaria vectors. Ivermectin is a promising systemic insecticide for malaria vector control. The goal is to understand how malaria mosquitoes may develop resistance to this orally administered insecticide and to develop diagnostic tools that can support more effective ivermectin-based malaria control strategies.
My long-term research goal is to lead a multidisciplinary research programme that anticipates, detects and mitigates insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors across sub-Saharan Africa before large-scale implementation of novel vector control tools. I hope to develop deployable surveillance systems and predictive frameworks that guide when, where and how novel tools should be deployed, thereby avoiding ineffective interventions and optimising vector control strategies.
Selected Publications
