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Published: 17 Jan 2021 921 views
The scholarship for Entomology has been set up in the memory of Dr Sylvia Meek, Malaria Consortium’s Global Technical Director who led inspiring and pioneering work in the fight against infectious diseases, and malaria in particular, before her untimely passing away in 2016.
Both Malaria Consortium and University of Pretoria are committed to ensure Sylvia’s vision is continued by the future generation of entomologists in Africa. Sylvia was not only a great scientist but someone with great compassion who was an inspiration to her associates and colleagues.
The scholarship, established in Sylvia’s honour by Malaria Consortium, will empower a new generation of public health entomologists and malaria staff in Africa and Asia. Given the limited number of field-oriented vector biologists, and the challenges African countries face in achieving malaria elimination, this scholarship is a great opportunity to support the next generation of public health entomologists in support of this quest.
Malaria Consortium is delighted that the University of Pretoria will continue to host recipients of the scholarship. The University of Pretoria is one of the leading higher education institutions in Africa and will be accepting one scholarship student in 2021 for a two-year Master of Science in Entomology based in and supervised by academic staff in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. The MSc in Entomology offered by the Department of Zoology and Entomology is a research-only programme that does not include a coursework component. The successful applicant will start their MSc programme before the end of March 2021.
Available projects: The following projects in public health entomology are available for the current call:
1. Malaria entomology and insecticide resistance in a high disease burden region of South Africa
Supervisors: Dr Megan Riddin ([email protected]) and Prof. Armanda Bastos
Investigation into epidemiology and vector control strategy success is required to identify key factors contributing to persistence of malaria in Limpopo Province. This will be achieved through an in-field and laboratory study to investigate malaria vector community composition (primary, secondary and novel vectors) and insecticide resistance detection in local populations.
2. Seasonal variation in mosquito community structure and associations with larval habitats at hotels in a region of South Africa with residual malaria transmission
Supervisors: Prof. Christopher Weldon ([email protected]) and Dr Megan Riddin
Collaborators: Prof. Peter Furu, Dr Karin Schiøler, Dr Michael Alifrangis, Prof Flemming Konradsen, Ms Fatma Saleh, Mr Ayubo Kampango
Tourism contributes to economic and social development in South Africa, but the risk of malaria can deter international tourists from visiting the northern regions of the country. This project will identify hotspots of mosquito diversity in hotels to develop effective, systematic and affordable ecological management interventions to reduce mosquito abundance.
3. Improved forecasting of mosquitoesassociated with arbovirus transmission in South Africa
Supervisors: Prof. Christopher Weldon ([email protected]) and Prof. Kerstin Krüger
Vector-borne pathogens impact human and animal health in South Africa, resulting in substantial economic costs to fight human disease and losses for livestock industries. This project will determine the relationship between weather variables and the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes using a nationwide suction trap network in South Africa.
Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable populations.
| Application Deadline | 08 Feb 2021 |
| Country to study | South Africa |
| School to study | University of Pretoria |
| Type | Masters |
| Sponsor | Malaria Consortium |
| Gender | Men and Women |
The Dr Sylvia Meek scholarship for Entomology will cover all tuition fees, a research allowance to the total value of ZAR60?000 (ZAR30?000/year), ZAR 78?000/year for upkeep costs such as accommodation and board, an allowance for travel to South Africa (if non-national) and return home after completion of the programme, and health insurance for the duration of the MSc programme, i.e. a maximum of two calendar years, by which time the students should finish their degree.
The University of Pretoria will screen and shortlist applications based on
(1) the quality of the cover letter and preliminary proposal and
(2) eligibility for the MSc in Entomology programme.
The shortlist will be submitted to a scholarship selection panel constituted by Malaria Consortium vector control experts.
For more details, visit Malaria Consortium website.