Helminths, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Parasitology, Public Engagement, Public outreach, Science Communication, Social Media
I am a post-doctoral research scientist working on parasites and neglected tropical disease (NTD) in particular schistosomiasis (aka bilharzia). I am currently working on two linked projects funded by the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE). Using field collected parasite and vector samples & parasite genetic markers we aim to determine the impact of different schistosomiasis control programs on the schistosome parasite populations in endemic areas of Niger and Tanzania. The results will help inform & guide schistosomiasis and NTD control programs in endemic countries as well as further our understanding of schistosome biology and evolution. I am a fieldwork-based researcher with experience in project management and science communication. Through my work I have come to realise that a lack of science communication, science literacy and engagement not only jeopardizes health initiatives and programmes but also hinders social development in low income communities and countries. I am particularly interested in using public engagement in science and science communication as a tool for social change and sustainable development.
PhD, Imperial College, London, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 2006 - 2010
MSc, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2006
BSc, University of Wales, Bangor, United Kingdom, 2002 - 2005
Gower CM, Gouvras AN, Lamberton PH, Deol A, Shrivastava J, et al. (2013) Population genetic structure of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium from across six sub-Saharan African countries: Implications for epidemiology, evolution and control. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 261 - 274. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.09.014
Webster BL, Webster JP, Gouvras AN, Garba A, Lamine MS, et al. (2013) DNA ‘barcoding’ of Schistosoma mansoni across sub-Saharan Africa supports substantial within locality diversity and geographical separation of genotypes. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 250 - 260. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.08.009
Knopp S, Person B, Ame SM, Mohammed KA, Ali SM, et al. (2013) Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission in Zanzibar: Baseline Findings before the Onset of a Randomized Intervention Trial. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 7 (10) : e2474 - e2474. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002474
Gouvras AN, Kariuki C, Koukounari A, Norton AJ, Lange CN, et al. (2013) The impact of single versus mixed Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infections on morbidity profiles amongst school-children in Taveta, Kenya. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 309 - 317. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.01.001
Webster BL, Emery AM, Webster JP, Gouvras A, Garba A, et al. (2012) Genetic Diversity within Schistosoma haematobium: DNA Barcoding Reveals Two Distinct Groups. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 6 (10) : e1882 - e1882. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001882
SCORE Population genetic structure of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium under contrasting control regimes
Role: Principal investigatorRollinson D
Funding: University of Georgia
Total value £431,469 (to Museum £431,469)
Dates: 2010 - 2015
Tanzania
Gouvras AN, Allan F, Kinung’hi S, Rabone M, Emery A, Angelo T, Pennance T, Webster B, Nagai H, Rollinson D (2017) Longitudinal survey on the distribution of Biomphalaria sudanica and B. choanomophala in Mwanza region, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Tanzania: implications for schistosomiasis transmission and control. Parasites & Vectors, 10 (1) : doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2252-z
Webster BL, Rabone M, Pennance T, Emery AM, Allan F, Gouvras A, Knopp S, Garba A, Hamidou AA, Mohammed KA, Ame SM, Rollinson D, Webster JP (2015) Development of novel multiplex microsatellite polymerase chain reactions to enable high-throughput population genetic studies of Schistosoma haematobium. Parasites & Vectors, 8 (1) : doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1044-6
Garba A, Lamine MS, Barkiré N, Djibo A, Sofo B, Gouvras AN, Labbo R, Sebangou H, Webster JP, Fenwick A, Utzinger J (2013) Efficacy and safety of two closely spaced doses of praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni and re-infection patterns in school-aged children in Niger. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 334 - 344. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.08.008
Gower CM, Gouvras AN, Lamberton PH, Deol A, Shrivastava J, Mutombo PN, Mbuh JV, Norton AJ, Webster BL, Stothard JR, Garba A, Lamine MS, Kariuki C, Lange CN, Mkoji GM, Kabatereine NB, Gabrielli AF, Rudge JW, Fenwick A, Sacko M, Dembelé R, Lwambo NJ, Tchuem Tchuenté L-A, Rollinson D, Webster JP (2013) Population genetic structure of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium from across six sub-Saharan African countries: Implications for epidemiology, evolution and control. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 261 - 274. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.09.014
Webster BL, Webster JP, Gouvras AN, Garba A, Lamine MS, Diaw OT, Seye MM, Tchuem Tchuenté L-A, Simoonga C, Mubila L, Mwanga JR, Lwambo NJ, Kabatereine NB, Lange CN, Kariuki C, Mkoji GM, Rollinson D, Stothard JR (2013) DNA ‘barcoding’ of Schistosoma mansoni across sub-Saharan Africa supports substantial within locality diversity and geographical separation of genotypes. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 250 - 260. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.08.009
Knopp S, Person B, Ame SM, Mohammed KA, Ali SM, Khamis IS, Rabone M, Allan F, Gouvras A, Blair L, Fenwick A, Utzinger J, Rollinson D (2013) Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission in Zanzibar: Baseline Findings before the Onset of a Randomized Intervention Trial. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 7 (10) : e2474 - e2474. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002474
Gouvras AN, Kariuki C, Koukounari A, Norton AJ, Lange CN, Ireri E, Fenwick A, Mkoji GM, Webster JP (2013) The impact of single versus mixed Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infections on morbidity profiles amongst school-children in Taveta, Kenya. Acta Tropica, 128 (2) : 309 - 317. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.01.001
Knopp S, Mohammed KA, Ali SM, Khamis IS, Ame SM, Albonico M, Gouvras A, Fenwick A, Savioli L, Colley DG, Utzinger J, Person B, Rollinson D (2012) Study and implementation of urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba islands) using an integrated multidisciplinary approach. BMC Public Health, 12 (1) : doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-930
Webster BL, Emery AM, Webster JP, Gouvras A, Garba A, Diaw O, Seye MM, Tchuente LAT, Simoonga C, Mwanga J, Lange C, Kariuki C, Mohammed KA, Stothard JR, Rollinson D (2012) Genetic Diversity within Schistosoma haematobium: DNA Barcoding Reveals Two Distinct Groups. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 6 (10) : e1882 - e1882. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001882
Garba A, Barkiré N, Djibo A, Lamine MS, Sofo B, Gouvras AN, Bosqué-Oliva E, Webster JP, Stothard JR, Utzinger J, Fenwick A (2010) Schistosomiasis in infants and preschool-aged children: Infection in a single Schistosoma haematobium and a mixed S. haematobium – S. mansoni foci of Niger. Acta Tropica, 115 (3) : 212 - 219. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.03.005
Koukounari A, Donnelly CA, Sacko M, Keita AD, Landouré A, Dembelé R, Bosqué-Oliva E, Gabrielli AF, Gouvras A, Traoré M, Fenwick A, Webster JP (2010) The impact of single versus mixed schistosome species infections on liver, spleen and bladder morbidity within Malian children pre- and post-praziquantel treatment. BMC Infectious Diseases, 10 (1) : 227 - 227. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-10-227