Prof Russell Stothard

Areas of interest

(Molecular) epidemiology and control of tropical diseases
Background

By addressing important questions concerning the molecular evolution and spatial epidemiology of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), my primary focus is upon schistosomiasis (Schistosoma spp. and planorbid snails) and its control with large-scale preventive chemotherapy. Secondary interests include soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and other snail-trematode diseases e.g. fascioliasis, as well as their interplay with malaria. I have made a major contribution to disease control in East Africa and recently highlighted the importance of female and male genital schistosomiasis with reference to longer term control of the HIV epidemic in Africa.

A key theme throughout my research is development, application and evaluation of better point-of-care diagnostics set against a background of quality disease surveillance and monitoring. As a specialist in field epidemiology and research-led expeditions, I am particularly interested in disease transmission cycles that cross-over into zoonosis and one-health concepts. Highlights have included, for example, better disease management on Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda.