Bart Knols was one of the first scientists that unravelled why malaria mosquitoes are attracted to humans in particular? His PhD work received the IgNobel prize and kick-started a range of scientific studies on mosquito attractants; odours that can be used to lure and trap mosquitoes. He has 11 years of work experience in Africa and was the inventor of the semi-field systems (called “MalariaSpheres”) that are still being used to perform experiments on mosquitoes under realistic environmental conditions. Bart also has extensive research experience in the development of control measures against several mosquito species (including Dengue mosquitoes), as well as the control of tsetse flies (in Africa).
Remco Suer is an expert in mosquito behaviour. His PhD research encompassed the seriously difficult task of unravelling the way the mosquito brain reacts to odours. He performed several important electrophysiological studies and was one of the first to link neuronal responses to odours with mosquito behaviour. Remco has created a detailed behavioural set-up for mosquito host-seeking experiments as well as a novel bioassay for mosquito repellents. He also obtained research experience in the electrophysiology of predatory mites.
Marit Farenhorst is one of the few experts on the use of entomopathogenic fungi (a novel biological control agent) against malaria mosquitoes. Her research pioneered the use of fungal spores against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes and focused on the practical application of fungi and combinations of fungi and chemical insecticides. Marit developed novel application methods and mosquito bioassay set-ups for fungal biopesticides. Her research took part in South Africa and Benin, where she obtained extensive work experience with public health insecticide methods (using WHO exposure assays) and knowledge of insecticide resistance mechanisms. Marit’s scientific expertise also includes molecular diagnostics for Leishmania parasites (transmitted by sandflies) and tick control.
