“Mosquito-based viral surveillance using sequencing technologies in hospital settings and ports on entry in Zanzibar”
Country of Study
Tanzania
Institution
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
Expected Year of Completion
2027
Thematic Area
Health and Life Sciences
Education
Gloria’s PhD thesis is in Biomedical Sciences. She holds an MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. An Assistant Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, she is currently in her second year of PhD studies at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and is expected to complete her doctorate in 2027.
Research Summary
Gloria’s research addresses gaps in understanding mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) in Zanzibar, focusing on the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Current mosquito identification relies on morphology, which is often inconclusive, and there is limited molecular data on virus transmission. Her study uses DNA barcoding and Nanopore sequencing to detect viruses in mosquitoes from hospitals and ports of entry—key sites for MBVD transmission. The research aims to create a mosquito-based surveillance system to monitor viral threats and guide preemptive measures, with potential for broader use in high-risk areas across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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