Professor David Hurst Molyneux CMG is an internationally renowned parasitologist and global health expert whose career has spanned more than five decades. He holds emeritus professorial positions at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the University of Liverpool and has made pioneering contributions to the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases.

Professor Molyneux studied at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, where he earned a BA in 1965, PhD in 1969, and MA in the same year. He later received a DSc from the University of Salford. His academic appointments include Professor of Biology at the University of Salford (1977–1991), where he also served as Dean of Science and Chair of Biological Sciences, and Director of LSTM (1991–2000). From 2000 to 2008, he led the World Health Organisation-recognised Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, continuing as Senior Professorial Fellow thereafter.

His contributions have been recognised through a wide array of national and international honours, including the Manson Medal, the Mary Kingsley Medal, and multiple honorary fellowships. In 2020, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to the control of neglected tropical diseases.

Professor Molyneux has delivered prestigious lectures around the world, including the Manson, Craig, and Livingstone Lectures, and presented on neglected tropical diseases to the G7 Academies of Science.

Professor Molyneux’s research has focused on parasitic and vector-borne diseases, particularly: African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), onchocerciasis (river blindness), leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, zoonotic diseases and vector ecology.

He has led multidisciplinary research efforts integrating field epidemiology, entomology, and vector control strategies. His work has advanced understanding of host-parasite interactions, vector identification through hydrocarbon analysis, and disease mapping using remote sensing and geographic information systems.

As an Emeritus Professor, Professor Molyneux no longer undertakes active research or supervises postgraduate students but continues to provide advice to colleagues in various organisations and capacities on parasitic and vector-borne diseases and health policy. He contributes to expert reviews and currently acts as a Consultant to Sightsavers and other organisations working on neglected tropical diseases.

He has been principal investigator on major research grants funded by DFID, WHO, the Wellcome Trust, MRC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GlaxoSmithKline, among others. His projects have informed global policy and operational delivery for neglected

tropical disease programmes, including the strategic coordination of mass drug administration campaigns and health systems integration.

Teaching

Professor Molyneux has made significant contributions to education and training in parasitology and tropical medicine. He has supervised over 40 PhD and MSc students during his academic career. Though no longer actively supervising he remains involved in teaching and academic mentorship.

He continues to provide lectures and seminars on parasitic infections and vector-borne diseases for LSTM Masters and Diploma courses. In addition, he initiated and edits a series of lectures on neglected tropical diseases published by the life sciences provider Henry Stewart Talks. This curated series includes around 40 expert presentations and is freely accessible to students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, forming a valuable resource used in teaching modules at both LSTM and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Through both in-person and digital teaching, Professor Molyneux continues to support knowledge dissemination and academic capacity-building in tropical medicine globally.