Research Area
Climate change, biodiversity and pandemic prevention
Human-made environmental changes across Africa erode biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems, with impacts on the spread of zoonotic disease with epidemic potential. This project will use mosquitoes as natural “samplers” of vertebrates to monitor changes on pathogen diversity and transmission dynamics. Using advanced diagnostic technologies in serology and metagenomics, the programme will analyse mosquito bloodmeals from humans and animals will to detect their prior exposure to 20 epidemic-prone pathogens; assess changes in exposure risk along “urban-rural-forest” transects; and collect windborne mosquitoes at high altitude, as well as on the ground, to identify their role in spreading arboviruses over long distances.
Monitoring changes in the species compositions of mosquitoes, vertebrate hosts, and pathogens, this work will analyse the effect of human-made changes, bolster early-warning systems, and inform prevention and mitigation strategies. The programme will also generate baselines for assessing future changes and address knowledge gaps such as identifying reservoirs of pathogens.
Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté is a globally recognized African parasitologist and medical entomologist, listed among the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 by New African Magazine. As Head of Medical Entomology and Parasitology at IRSS and Principal Investigator for several research projects, including Target Malaria Burkina Faso, he has contributed to developing cutting-edge approaches to fight human disease vectors, including evaluating gene drive systems, and has extensive experience studying insecticide resistance and mosquito ecology.
With over 20 years of pioneering research in vector biology, gene drive technologies, and novel biocontrol methods, Professor Diabaté’s work has earned prestigious awards, including the Royal Society Pfizer Award, AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, and the 2023 Falling Walls Science Prize.
A passionate advocate for African-led innovation, Professor Diabaté mentors young African scientists and champions research-driven solutions to Africa’s public health challenges, bridging the gap between research, policy, and community engagement to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases.