Arnau Pujol

Arnau Pujol is a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), leading projects in the Malaria Pathophysiology Group through a la Caixa Junior Leader Retaining grant. His work uniquely bridges physics and public health, applying cosmology-derived data science methods to malaria epidemiology challenges in Mozambique.

His academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Physics (Cosmology) from the Institute of Space Sciences (IEEC-CSIC), Barcelona
• Master's in High Energy Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology from Autonomous University of Barcelona
• Physics degree from Autonomous University of Barcelona

Dr. Pujol's research centers on statistical modeling of malaria transmission dynamics, with emphasis on spatiotemporal patterns in pregnant women through antenatal care systems. He integrates genomic analysis of Plasmodium falciparum, human mobility data, and epidemiological surveillance to understand transmission importation and evaluate elimination interventions in southern Mozambique. His approach transforms cosmology-derived computational techniques for public health applications.

Recent publications (2023-2024) demonstrate strong focus on genomic surveillance in antenatal settings, revealing transmission patterns and intervention impacts through high-impact studies in Nature Communications and BMJ Open. These works consistently feature Mozambican collaborations and methodological innovations at the epidemiology-genomics interface.

His research program is supported by prestigious competitive awards:

• Marie-Sklodowska Curie Individual Fellowship enabling his transition to malaria research
• la Caixa Junior Leader Retaining grant for independent group leadership

As a Junior Leader grant holder, Dr. Pujol directs an active research group developing surveillance protocols for Mozambique's National Malaria Control Program. His lab maintains strong Mozambican partnerships for field implementation while fostering cross-disciplinary training opportunities for quantitative scientists entering global health. Current projects focus on scaling genomic surveillance through routine health systems.

The Malaria Pathophysiology Group under Dr. Pujol pioneers integration of genomic epidemiology with spatial modeling, operating at the critical nexus of research and public health implementation in malaria-endemic regions.