Research on malaria vectors and insecticide resistance

Malaria vector biology

Which mosquitoes transmit malaria in central Côte d'Ivoire, when, and for how long they live.

Problem: Transmission stays intense in the Gbêkê region despite universal coverage with insecticide-treated nets.
Approach: Human landing catches, sporozoite and parity analyses, and comparisons across rural, semi-rural and urban sites.
Impact: Baseline indicators for trials, and evidence on how urbanisation changes vector survival.

Projects

Publications

2024

Global malaria predictors at a localized scale (opens in a new tab)

Frontiers in Malaria, 2, 1338648

Skinner EB, Childs ML, Thomas MB, …, Wolie RZ, …, Mordecai EA, author 8 of 12

Co-author

DOI 10.3389/fmala.2024.1338648Open access

2023

Anopheles vector distribution and malaria transmission dynamics in Gbêkê region, central Côte d'Ivoire (opens in a new tab)

Malaria Journal, 22, 192

Koffi AA, Camara S, Ahoua Alou LP, …, Wolie RZ, …, N’Guessan R, author 5 of 13

Data collection, laboratory and data management

DOI 10.1186/s12936-023-04623-1 PubMed PMCOpen access

2022

Entomological indicators of malaria transmission prior to a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a 'lethal house lure' intervention in central Côte d'Ivoire (opens in a new tab)

Malaria Journal, 21, 188

Wolie RZ, Koffi AA, Ayuk-Taylor L, …, N’Guessan R, author 1 of 14

First author. Designed the study, led field and laboratory work, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript

DOI 10.1186/s12936-022-04196-5 PubMed PMCOpen access

2021

Technical Workflow Development for Integrating Drone Surveys and Entomological Sampling to Characterise Aquatic Larval Habitats of Anopheles funestus in Agricultural Landscapes in Côte d'Ivoire (opens in a new tab)

Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2021, 1-14

Byrne I, Chan K, Manrique E, …, Wolie RZ, …, Fornace K, author 5 of 19

Co-author

DOI 10.1155/2021/3220244 PubMed PMCOpen access

Insecticide resistance and genetic surveillance

Mapping resistance mutations and species across the country's ecological zones.

Problem: Pyrethroid resistance threatens the tools that brought malaria down, and it differs from one zone to the next.
Approach: Bioassays, molecular species identification and genotyping of kdr and Ace-1 mutations at national sentinel sites.
Impact: Evidence for zone-specific vector control and for national resistance management plans.

Projects

Publications

2026

Strengthening insecticide resistance management in malaria vectors control in Côte d'IvoireFrom evidence to action (opens in a new tab)

BMC Public Health

Gbalegba CGN, Fodjo BK, Wolie RZ, …, Abeku TA, author 3 of 7

Co-author

DOI 10.1186/s12889-026-28711-4Open access

2026

Evaluation of dual-active ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets against wild resistant malaria vectors in TanzaniaA series of experimental hut trials (opens in a new tab)

medRxivPreprint

Martin JL, Lines J, Messenger LA, …, Wolie RZ, …, Manjurano A, author 14 of 16

Co-author

DOI 10.64898/2026.07.27.26359071Open access

2026

Multi-site phenotypic characterisation of Kisumu colonies for comparison of insecticide susceptibility between testing centres (opens in a new tab)

bioRxivPreprint

Harvey GF, Praulins G, Akoupo S, …, Wolie RZ, …, Lees RS, author 36 of 43

Co-author, multi-site consortium

DOI 10.64898/2026.07.21.739746Open access

2025

Managing insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in AfricaCase studies from Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Tanzania (opens in a new tab)

Malaria Journal, 24, 375

Tabue RN, Gbalegba CGN, Mwalimu CD, …, Wolie RZ, …, Abeku TA, author 9 of 12

Contributed to the country case study reports

DOI 10.1186/s12936-025-05606-0 PubMed PMCOpen access

Vector control innovation

Testing new tools where current ones fail, from the laboratory to whole villages.

Problem: Nets and indoor spraying lose ground against resistant mosquitoes.
Approach: Experimental huts, semi-field systems and a cluster-randomised trial, covering eave tubes, sugar baits and next-generation nets.
Impact: A lethal house lure that reduced malaria in children, published in The Lancet, and multi-centre evidence on new nets.

Projects

Publications

2026

Evaluation of dual-active ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets against wild resistant malaria vectors in TanzaniaA series of experimental hut trials (opens in a new tab)

medRxivPreprint

Martin JL, Lines J, Messenger LA, …, Wolie RZ, …, Manjurano A, author 14 of 16

Co-author

DOI 10.64898/2026.07.27.26359071Open access

2024

Mosquito control by abatement programmes in the United StatesPerspectives and lessons for countries in sub-Saharan Africa (opens in a new tab)

Malaria Journal, 23, 8

Ochomo E, Rund SSC, Mthawanji RS, …, Wolie RZ, …, Juma EO, author 7 of 27

Contributed to the idea and initial discussions, as part of the PAMCA exchange programme

DOI 10.1186/s12936-023-04829-3 PubMed PMCOpen access

2023

Attractive targeted sugar baitThe pyrrole insecticide chlorfenapyr and the anti-malarial pharmaceutical artemether-lumefantrine arrest Plasmodium falciparum development inside wild pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes (opens in a new tab)

Malaria Journal, 22, 344

N’Guessan R, Camara S, Rowland M, …, Wolie RZ, …, Koffi AA, author 5 of 11

Edited and reviewed the manuscript

DOI 10.1186/s12936-023-04758-1 PubMed PMCOpen access

2023

Efficacy of a 'lethal house lure' against Culex quinquefasciatus from Bouaké city, Côte d'Ivoire (opens in a new tab)

Parasites & Vectors, 16, 300

Tia IZ, Barreaux AMG, Oumbouke WA, …, Wolie RZ, …, N’Guessan R, author 7 of 12

Co-author

DOI 10.1186/s13071-023-05883-1 PubMed PMCOpen access

Arbovirus preparedness

Helping health systems get ready for dengue and other arboviruses.

Problem: Arbovirus outbreaks are rising in Africa while surveillance and response capacity lag behind.
Approach: Structured national self-assessments with programme managers and partners, compared across four countries.
Impact: Country recommendations on surveillance and entomological capacity.

Projects

From evidence to policy

Turning research into decisions for national malaria programmes.

Problem: Good plans fail when funding, data systems and allocation processes do not follow.
Approach: Mixed-methods case studies, document reviews and stakeholder interviews, compared across countries.
Impact: Recommendations on resistance management, Global Fund allocations and net distribution.