Dr David Rollinson

Biography

 

• Present Position

  Individual Merit Research Scientist (Band 1) and Head of the Biomedical Parasitology Group in the Department of Zoology at the Natural History Museum.

  I am responsible for the Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the identification and characterization of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts.

  Honours

  Socio Corrispondente of the Italian Society of Parasitology
  The Bicentenary Medal of the Linnean Society in recognition of work in zoology.
  Huxley Memorial Medal, Imperial College
  Wright Medal, British Society for Parasitology
  Honorary Foreign Member of the Slovak Society for Parasitology
  Prof. Ernest M. Ungureanu Commemorative Medal Romania

   

Professional Roles

Editorial boards Appointments

1994                             Editor - Advances in Parasitology.
1986                             Parassitologia
1987                             Parasitology
2000                             Annals of Tropical Medicine and
                                      Parasitology
2002                             Journal of Helminthology
2005                             Helminthologia
2008                             Parasites and Vectors (Advisory Board)
2009                             Parasite

Honorary Appointments (from 2000)

2000- 2002                 Vice-President British Society for Parasitology
2002-2004                  President of the British Society for Parasitology
2002-2006                  External advisor to the Norwegian Centre for Biosystematics
2002-2006                  Vice-President of the World Federation of Parasitologists
2006                             President of the World Federation of Parasitologists

Research

My main area of research concerns the characterization and biology of trematode parasites and their molluscan hosts. A sound knowledge of genetic diversity is essential for the implementation of successful disease control programmes, especially in Africa.  My goal is to work towards a better synthesis and understanding of host parasite interactions especially of the schistosome snail model and other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The driving force of evolution is particularly striking when considering the interplay between host and parasite genomes and my research seeks to explore the intricacies of these interactions in detail. I employ a multidisciplinary approach and current collaborative projects range from investigating mechanisms of parasite resistance in snails to the implementation of helminth control strategies in Africa.

 

Main Research Projects:

 

• CONTRAST- A multidisciplinary alliance to optimize schistosomiasis control and transmission surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa. European Union funded Specific Targeted Research Project.
• Improving children’s health by control of schistosomiasis: a partnership between the Natural History Museum and Helminth Control Laboratory Unguja. The Health Foundation.
• Biomphalaria glabrata: gene discovery, expression profiling and interval mapping to elucidate mechanisms of resistance to Schistosoma mansoni. Wellcome Trust Research Grant.

Publications

2006

• Fenwick, A., Rollinson, D., Southgate V.R. ( 2006 ) Implementation of human schistosomiasis control: challenges and prospects Advances in Parasitology 61 : 567-622 . Advances in Parasitology

2005

• D. Rollinson, E.V. Klinger, A.F. Mgeni, S. Khamis and J.R. Stothard. ( 2005 ) Urinary schistosomiasis on Zanzibar: application of two novel assays for the detection of excreted albumin and haemoglobin in urine Journal of Helminthology 79 : 199-206 . 10.1079/JOH2005305

2004

• A.E. Lockyer, Jones CS, Noble LR & Rollinson D ( 2004 ) Trematodes and snails, an intimate association Canadian Journal of Zoology 82 : 251-269 . Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Norton, J., Lewis, J.W. & Rollinson. D. ( 2004 ) Temporal and spatial patterns of nestedness in eel macroparasite communities Parasitology 129 : 203-211 . 10.1017/S0031182004005517

2002

• Stothard, J.R. Mgeni, A.F., Khamis, S., Kristensen, T.K., Hubbard, S.J., Seto, E., Ramsan, M., Rollinson, D. ( 2002 ) New insights into the transmission biology of urinary schistosomiasis in Zanzibar Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 96 : 470-475 . Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

2001

• Rollinson, D., Stothard, J. R., & Southgate, V. R. ( 2001 ) Interactions between intermediate snail hosts of the genus Bulinus and schistosomes of the Schistosoma haematobium group Parasitology 123 : S245-S260 . 10.1017/S0031182001008046
• Stothard, J., Bremond, P., Andriamaro, L., Sellin, B., Sellin, E., & Rollinson, D. ( 2001 ) Bulinus species on Madagascar: molecular evolution, genetic markers and compatibility with Schistosoma haematobium Parasitology 123 : S261-275 . 10.1017/S003118200100806X

2000

• Campbell, G., Jones, C. S., Lockyer, A. E., Hughes, S., Brown, D. S., Noble, L. R., & Rollinson, D. ( 2000 ) Molecular evidence supports an African affinity of the Neotropical freshwater gastropod, Biomphalaria glabrata, Say 1818, an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni Proceedings of the Royal Society London 267 : 2351-2358 . 10.1098/rspb.2000.1291