Tom Churcher
@thomaschurcher.bsky.social
Infectious disease epidemiologist focussing on mosquitoes & other blood-suckers. Malaria. Prof @ Imperial College London @mrc-outbreak.bsky.social.
Hello UK, West Nile Virus carrying mosquito Culex modestus is coming to a ditch near you! link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Evidence of much wider distribution of the potential West Nile virus vector, Culex modestus, in the UK - Parasites & Vectors
Culex modestus is a primary vector of West Nile virus (WNV) in Europe, feeding on both avian and mammalian hosts. Since its rediscovery in the UK in Kent in 2010, its range has been reported throughou...
link.springer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Hello UK, West Nile Virus carrying mosquito Culex modestus is coming to a ditch near you! link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Tom Churcher
The EMBL PhD programme is open until 13th October (entry ~Sep 2026):
www.embl.org/about/info/e...
We have three positions in microbial genomics at EMBL-EBI, including one in my group. Please do apply, or if you know anyone that would be interested pass on to them
www.embl.org/about/info/e...
We have three positions in microbial genomics at EMBL-EBI, including one in my group. Please do apply, or if you know anyone that would be interested pass on to them
EMBL International PhD Programme – Unique in the world and waiting for you!
www.embl.org
September 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The EMBL PhD programme is open until 13th October (entry ~Sep 2026):
www.embl.org/about/info/e...
We have three positions in microbial genomics at EMBL-EBI, including one in my group. Please do apply, or if you know anyone that would be interested pass on to them
www.embl.org/about/info/e...
We have three positions in microbial genomics at EMBL-EBI, including one in my group. Please do apply, or if you know anyone that would be interested pass on to them
Sorry, proper link. www.science.org/content/arti...
September 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Sorry, proper link. www.science.org/content/arti...
This is so sad. Burkinabe scientists have been at the forefront of the development of GM mosquitoes. They have been meticulous and patient, showing how this technology should be implemented. I fear this decision will cost a huge number of lives. www.malariaworld.org/news/after-h...
www.malariaworld.org
September 12, 2025 at 10:53 AM
This is so sad. Burkinabe scientists have been at the forefront of the development of GM mosquitoes. They have been meticulous and patient, showing how this technology should be implemented. I fear this decision will cost a huge number of lives. www.malariaworld.org/news/after-h...
"we found that mosquitoes are drawn to those who avoid sunscreen, drink beer, and share their bed".......
Blood, sweat, and beers: investigating mosquito biting preferences amidst noise and intoxication in a cross-sectional cohort study at a large music festival https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.21.671470v1
August 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"we found that mosquitoes are drawn to those who avoid sunscreen, drink beer, and share their bed".......
Reposted by Tom Churcher
🚨 New publication!
Our RCT in 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso & 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire shows that adding either non-pyrethroid indoor residual spraying (IRS) or intensive behaviour change communication (BCC) to LLINs reduces #malaria burden.
In @lancetgh.bsky.social :
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
#GlobalHealth #VectorControl
Our RCT in 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso & 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire shows that adding either non-pyrethroid indoor residual spraying (IRS) or intensive behaviour change communication (BCC) to LLINs reduces #malaria burden.
In @lancetgh.bsky.social :
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
#GlobalHealth #VectorControl
August 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
🚨 New publication!
Our RCT in 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso & 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire shows that adding either non-pyrethroid indoor residual spraying (IRS) or intensive behaviour change communication (BCC) to LLINs reduces #malaria burden.
In @lancetgh.bsky.social :
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
#GlobalHealth #VectorControl
Our RCT in 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso & 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire shows that adding either non-pyrethroid indoor residual spraying (IRS) or intensive behaviour change communication (BCC) to LLINs reduces #malaria burden.
In @lancetgh.bsky.social :
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
#GlobalHealth #VectorControl
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Our pre-print "Simplifying mosquito sampling to estimate community biting exposure and malaria indoor vector control impact" is now available! doi.org/10.21203/rs..... 1/n #malaria #mosquitoes #vectors
Simplifying mosquito sampling to estimate community biting exposure and malaria indoor vector control impact
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are most effective against malaria if mosquitoes attempt to bite people when they are in bed. Collecting the biting behaviour data required to quantify a key metric - t...
doi.org
July 16, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Our pre-print "Simplifying mosquito sampling to estimate community biting exposure and malaria indoor vector control impact" is now available! doi.org/10.21203/rs..... 1/n #malaria #mosquitoes #vectors
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Infectious Disease Modelling starter pack update! First pack is full so I created a second one. Pls keep on sending suggestions! (bio should contain experience relevant for this pack)
IDModelling pack 1: go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5
IDModelling pack 2 : go.bsky.app/2oBB7KX
IDModelling pack 1: go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5
IDModelling pack 2 : go.bsky.app/2oBB7KX
Infectious Disease Modelling #IDModelling
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
November 22, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Infectious Disease Modelling starter pack update! First pack is full so I created a second one. Pls keep on sending suggestions! (bio should contain experience relevant for this pack)
IDModelling pack 1: go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5
IDModelling pack 2 : go.bsky.app/2oBB7KX
IDModelling pack 1: go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5
IDModelling pack 2 : go.bsky.app/2oBB7KX
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Over 130 academics signed letter informing Prime Minister Keir Starmer that foreign aid cuts will cost lives & threatens the fight against disease
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Foreign aid cuts will cost lives, scientists warn Keir Starmer
More than 130 academics have signed a letter telling the prime minister that cuts in funding could hinder the global fight against disease
www.thetimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Over 130 academics signed letter informing Prime Minister Keir Starmer that foreign aid cuts will cost lives & threatens the fight against disease
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
USAID cuts have halted Demographic and Health Surveys that are essential for tracking diseases like HIV and malaria. Huge loss that threatens global security and the efficient distribution of aid. Apparently the UN is trying to track scale of impact. Please respond. form.jotform.com/250913880478...
Questionnaire on the use of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data
Please click the link to complete this form.
form.jotform.com
April 22, 2025 at 5:57 AM
USAID cuts have halted Demographic and Health Surveys that are essential for tracking diseases like HIV and malaria. Huge loss that threatens global security and the efficient distribution of aid. Apparently the UN is trying to track scale of impact. Please respond. form.jotform.com/250913880478...
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Our new preprint (ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...) describes✨AedesTraits✨ (zenodo.org/records/1514...) - A global database on temperature-trait responses in Aedes mosquitoes. #AedesTraits holds >31,000 rows of fully open data extracted from published literature (1930s to 2025)!
AedesTraits: A global database of temperature–dependent trait responses in Aedes mosquitoes
ecoevorxiv.org
April 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Our new preprint (ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...) describes✨AedesTraits✨ (zenodo.org/records/1514...) - A global database on temperature-trait responses in Aedes mosquitoes. #AedesTraits holds >31,000 rows of fully open data extracted from published literature (1930s to 2025)!
As we try to understand how climate change impacts malaria @isaacstopard.bsky.social looked how daily temperature fluctuations impact development in mosquitoes. Quite a bit it seems, but still unclear in wild mosies. Lovely data from Antoine Sanou but we need more! www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Modelling the effects of diurnal temperature variation on malaria infection dynamics in mosquitoes - Communications Biology
Mechanistic modelling of the effects of diurnal temperature variation on Plasmodium falciparum sporogony indicates this variation is important in the laboratory, but further validation is required to ...
www.nature.com
April 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
As we try to understand how climate change impacts malaria @isaacstopard.bsky.social looked how daily temperature fluctuations impact development in mosquitoes. Quite a bit it seems, but still unclear in wild mosies. Lovely data from Antoine Sanou but we need more! www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Tom Churcher
PEPFAR Impact Tracker
Track the impact of PEPFAR funding halt
pepfar.impactcounter.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Tom Churcher
March issue of The Lancet Microbe will be online next week, but you can read our editorial already.
Prior to our upcoming March issue, here's an early look at our latest editorial
US recklessness in the face of pandemic risk
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
US recklessness in the face of pandemic risk
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
US recklessness in the face of pandemic risk
March 25 will mark a year since the first ever report of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus
in cows. The first detections occurred in Kansas and Texas, USA, and since then, as
of Feb 14, 968 dairy herds in...
www.thelancet.com
February 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
March issue of The Lancet Microbe will be online next week, but you can read our editorial already.
A very sad and counterproductive decision. Aid when you don’t know where diseases are is immensely inefficient. DHS is a vital long-term resource, both in counties with diseases like malaria, but also those finding new global threats. Everyone will be flying blind. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/h...
Trump Administration Ends Global Health Research Program
The Demographic and Health Surveys were the only sources of reliable information in many countries on metrics such as mortality, nutrition and education.
www.nytimes.com
February 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A very sad and counterproductive decision. Aid when you don’t know where diseases are is immensely inefficient. DHS is a vital long-term resource, both in counties with diseases like malaria, but also those finding new global threats. Everyone will be flying blind. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/h...
Target mosquitoes as they sugar feed shows considerable promise. We looked how these new tools could be used alongside existing malaria control and explored reasons why they might not be as good as early mosquito data suggested. Take_home - we just don't know what the mosi is doing!
New in Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases @CRPVBD
#OpenAccess
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@nima-moghaddas.bsky.social @thomaschurcher.bsky.social @mrc-outbreak.bsky.social @pathmalaria.bsky.social @ivcc.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@nima-moghaddas.bsky.social @thomaschurcher.bsky.social @mrc-outbreak.bsky.social @pathmalaria.bsky.social @ivcc.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Target mosquitoes as they sugar feed shows considerable promise. We looked how these new tools could be used alongside existing malaria control and explored reasons why they might not be as good as early mosquito data suggested. Take_home - we just don't know what the mosi is doing!
Reposted by Tom Churcher
The real damage to emergency response is probably much larger. On top of the cut to WHO, the US deployed much of their funds for emergency response via the CDC and other US organizations. healthpolicy-watch.news/crucial-who-...
Crucial WHO Health Emergency Response Faces Budget Cut Of 25% - Health Policy Watch
“The immediate response here in WHO was to use our Emergency Response Framework, to realign the functions at the country office to deploy an incident manager
healthpolicy-watch.news
February 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The real damage to emergency response is probably much larger. On top of the cut to WHO, the US deployed much of their funds for emergency response via the CDC and other US organizations. healthpolicy-watch.news/crucial-who-...
Thankyou @eonore.bsky.social for putting our recent insecticide treated nets against malaria work into context! Even organised a building site backdrop as an alagory for this being work in progress! Excellent! Supported by @gatesfoundation.bsky.social @ivcc.bsky.social @unitaid.bsky.social
NEW EPISODE #ScienceInContext This week @eonore.bsky.social speaks with prof @thomaschurcher.bsky.social about the recent World Malaria report, #malaria control interventions, modelling and bed nets 👇
youtu.be/B0spuTWEF2c
youtu.be/B0spuTWEF2c
Ep 114. Science in Context - Malaria nets with Prof Thomas Churcher (24-01-2025
YouTube video by MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis
youtu.be
January 29, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Thankyou @eonore.bsky.social for putting our recent insecticide treated nets against malaria work into context! Even organised a building site backdrop as an alagory for this being work in progress! Excellent! Supported by @gatesfoundation.bsky.social @ivcc.bsky.social @unitaid.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Interested in Lassa fever? Hear @drpdoohan.bsky.social summarise our Lassa review, recently published in @thelancet.bsky.social Global Health and part of our wider multi-pathogen review project: bit.ly/imperial-PERG
December 4, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Interested in Lassa fever? Hear @drpdoohan.bsky.social summarise our Lassa review, recently published in @thelancet.bsky.social Global Health and part of our wider multi-pathogen review project: bit.ly/imperial-PERG
Interesed in the inteaction between global health, modelling and policy? Come join us at @mrc-outbreak.bsky.social as a technical analyst primarily working on malaria! www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Description
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities ment...
www.imperial.ac.uk
November 29, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Interesed in the inteaction between global health, modelling and policy? Come join us at @mrc-outbreak.bsky.social as a technical analyst primarily working on malaria! www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Super exiting paper from Olivia Lamera & Meta Roestenberg et al using GM malaria infected mosquitoes to vaccinate people against malaria. Early days and the use-case unclear but really interesting science. www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Safety and Efficacy of Immunization with a Late-Liver-Stage Attenuated Malaria Parasite | NEJM
Currently licensed and approved malaria subunit vaccines provide modest, short-lived
protection against malaria. Immunization with live-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum
malaria parasites is an alte...
www.nejm.org
November 23, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Super exiting paper from Olivia Lamera & Meta Roestenberg et al using GM malaria infected mosquitoes to vaccinate people against malaria. Early days and the use-case unclear but really interesting science. www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...
Insecticidal nets prevent more malaria than anything else. Trials in Benin and Tanzania show newer nets that kill more mosquitoes are better than those currently used, but they are unable to assess their overall impact as you cannot leave people without a net and unprotected.
November 21, 2024 at 12:11 PM
Insecticidal nets prevent more malaria than anything else. Trials in Benin and Tanzania show newer nets that kill more mosquitoes are better than those currently used, but they are unable to assess their overall impact as you cannot leave people without a net and unprotected.
Reposted by Tom Churcher
Hello Bsky! I work on real-time outbreak response and statistical methods/software to support this, and wanted to point to this recent work led by my amazing colleague @eonore, looking at the extent to which our team work on COVID-19 influenced policy globally: doi.org/10.1186/s129...
Policy impact of the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team: global perspective and United Kingdom case study - Health Research Policy and Systems
Background Mathematical models and advanced analytics play an important role in policy decision making and mobilizing action. The Imperial College Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response Team (IC...
doi.org
November 13, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Hello Bsky! I work on real-time outbreak response and statistical methods/software to support this, and wanted to point to this recent work led by my amazing colleague @eonore, looking at the extent to which our team work on COVID-19 influenced policy globally: doi.org/10.1186/s129...
We need more ways to kill mosquitoes, especially outside the home where most people are vulnerable. Got a crazy way of clobbering mossies? If so, this call is for you. www.ivcc.com/call-for-pro...
Call for Proposals: How can we address the gaps in the vector control toolbox for malaria? - IVCC
Responding to the challenge of gaps in the malaria vector control tool box, IVCC has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to fund Proof of Concept (PoC) projects for new vector control tool...
www.ivcc.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:11 PM
We need more ways to kill mosquitoes, especially outside the home where most people are vulnerable. Got a crazy way of clobbering mossies? If so, this call is for you. www.ivcc.com/call-for-pro...