Krijn Paaijmans is a disease ecologist with a strong interest in how the biology and ecology of parasites, viruses and insect vectors shape the distribution and intensity of infectious diseases (such as malaria and Zika). His translational research aims to better inform disease control and prevention programs with the ultimate aim to reduce disease morbidity and mortality.
Professor Paaijmans and his team study the biology and behavior of disease vectors (e.g. mosquito development, blood-feeding behavior and vector competence) to design new tools and/or strategies for mosquito surveillance and control. To illustrate, his team - together with various partners around the world - is currently developing and piloting a novel vector control approach that uses high power pulsed electric fields to prevent mosquitoes from biting their human host.
He is also the head of the Entomology Platform at the Manhiça Health Research Centre in southern Mozambique. As a member of the Mozambican Alliance Towards the Elimination of Malaria (MALTEM), he coordinates the malaria elimination entomological monitoring and participates in evaluating tools and strategies to interrupt transmission of P. falciparum and eliminate its reservoir. He works closely with the Mozambican Ministry of Health and its partners, and is actively involved in strengthening the capacity in medical entomology in the country.
Professor Paaijmans is interested in mentoring students and scientists in the following areas of translational research: (i) new tools or strategies for vector monitoring and control, (ii) insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors and (iii) climate (change) and vector-borne diseases.
2003-2007 PhD in Medical Entomology
Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Meteorology and Air Quality | Laboratory of Entomology
1997-2002 BSc and MSc in Biology
Wageningen University, The Netherlands
The research of the Paaijmans lab focusses on anopheline mosquitoes and the malaria parasites they transmit, and is organised around the following themes:
1. Malaria elimination entomological monitoring
2. Insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors
3. New tools for vector monitoring and control
4. Climate (change) and vector-borne diseases
The Paaijmans lab conducts academic translational research on the surveillance and control of mosquito vectors of infectious diseases (e.g. malaria, Zika) with the aim to reduce disease morbidity and mortality. More specifically, Professor Paaijmans works on: (1) Designing and testing novel tools for mosquito surveillance and control through an improved understanding of vector biology and behavior, and (2) Designing and piloting improved mosquito surveillance strategies that provide more timely, accurate and actionable information with the aim to improve vector control strategies.
For the last three years, Professor Paaijmans has been involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of different entomological studies as part of the Mozambican Alliance towards the Elimination of Malaria (MALTEM), currently ongoing in Southern Mozambique. He works closely with the entomologists of the National Malaria Control Program and its partners in Mozambique.
Malaria elimination entomological monitoring
Insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors
Climate (change) and vector-borne diseases
Spring 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 320 | Fundamentals of Ecology |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Fall 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
ASM 394 | Special Topics |
BIO 394 | Special Topics |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
Spring 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 320 | Fundamentals of Ecology |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Fall 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
ASM 394 | Special Topics |
BIO 394 | Special Topics |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
Spring 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 320 | Fundamentals of Ecology |