معرفی
Professor Heather M Ferguson is a leading researcher in infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, specializing in malaria vector ecology and control. She holds a professorship within the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM) in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.
Her educational background includes a BSc (Honours) in Zoology from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Zoology (conservation biology) from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh focused on malaria vector-parasite interactions. She completed postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania before joining the University of Glasgow as a BBSRC David Philips Research Fellow in 2006.
Professor Ferguson's research focuses on the ecology and behavior of African malaria vectors, surveillance and control of mosquito vectors of malaria and arboviruses, the impact of environmental change on vector-borne diseases, and assessing the risk of mosquito-borne disease emergence in Scotland. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on vector genetics, insecticide resistance mechanisms, mosquito behavior, and innovative surveillance methods including spectroscopy and geospatial modeling. Her work spans multiple continents with significant research conducted in Tanzania, Ecuador, Malaysia, and Scotland.
She maintains a close research partnership with the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania where she holds a Visiting Scientist appointment. Her research has significant implications for malaria control programs in endemic regions and contributes to understanding potential vector-borne disease risks in non-endemic areas like Scotland. Professor Ferguson's work bridges fundamental vector ecology with practical applications for disease control, making substantial contributions to both scientific understanding and public health practice.
