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I am a Medical Entomologist pursuing my PhD at the University Cheikh Anta Diop as a MARCAD-Plus consortium fellow under the DELTAS Africa program. My research focuses on insecticide resistance in Anopheles arabiensis and An. melas, particularly on target-site mutations (Kdr West, Kdr East, Ace-1) and metabolic resistance. I am also involved in passive surveillance of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive malaria vector threatening malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Alongside my scientific work, I lead community engagement activities with a goal of generating entomological data to guide national vector control strategies while strengthening community participation in malaria prevention, especially in low-transmission and pre-elimination areas.
Current Community Engagement Project
With support from the SFA Foundation, I am leading a two-year community engagement project titled “Socio-Cultural Days on Mosquitoes and Malaria in My Village,” implemented in three rural communities in Senegal: Darou Salam (Saint-Louis), Keur Martin (Fatick), and Mbine Coly (Thies). The first edition, held in July 2025, was a great success, bringing together community members, local leaders, and health workers to engage in cultural events, including theatre, music, storytelling, debates, and games. Participants, especially women and youth, were encouraged to share their understanding of malaria, local prevention practices, and perspectives on researchers and research. The project strengthens ties between researchers and communities, creating inclusive spaces for dialogue around malaria and mosquito control. By valuing community input, we adapt scientific interventions to local realities and enhance the effectiveness of vector control strategies. The second edition is planned for 2026 to continue building awareness and engagement in these rural communities.
