The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine was delighted to host Matthew Gandy, Professor at the University of Cambridge, as part of his Leverhulme Research Fellowship visit to Ghana.

Prof. Matthew Gandy reached out to Prof. Kingsley Badu and Dr. Oumou Maiga-Ascofare to gain firsthand insights into ongoing research activities at the Centre. His research interests spanning public health, urban epidemiology, and corporeal geographies aligned closely with KCCR’s interdisciplinary work.

During the visit, discussions focused on emerging research at the intersection of urbanization, vector ecology, and infectious diseases, including studies on urban nature, zoonotic diseases, and the evolving field of urban entomology. Professor Badu led in-depth conversations on the work of the Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Group and the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research Group, highlighting innovative approaches such as AI-assisted mosquito surveillance.

The visit also featured engaging presentations from students and researchers, showcasing cutting edge scientific work:

• AI bioacoustic device for mosquito classification – Nutifafa Yao Agbenor-Efunam
• Arbovirus surveillance, community impact, and indigenous plant alternatives in vector control – Obadiah Opoku-Bamfoh
• Malaria transmission-blocking with antimalarials and the influence of helminth co-infections on human attraction to mosquitoes – Dr. Priscilla Adjei-Kusi

A guided tour of KCCR’s entomology laboratories provided Professor Gandy with a closer look at how laboratory research is translated into practical applications, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to impactful, real-world solutions in public health.

The visit created a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and interdisciplinary dialogue, further strengthening links between global research communities and KCCR’s work in advancing tropical medicine and urban health research.