Patricia Doumbe Belisse has a long-term ambition to lead the implementation of innovative tools aiming to eliminate malaria and address global public health challenges in the UK and beyond. She has a proven track record of conducting research in Africa and the UK with a strong foundation in medical entomology and implementation research. Patricia also has a keen interest in parasite genomic surveillance and holds a PhD in Parasitology and Ecology from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon.
She joined Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) as a research associate working on a project assessing the epidemiological impact of the invasive Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia and Sudan. Patricia is committed to advancing her expertise in the complex interactions between hosts, vectors, and parasites by looking at how malaria control strategies influence vector behaviour, parasite genetics/diversity, and the spread of disease, how can we enhance the effectiveness and implementation of current disease control measures, and what the broader public health implications of ongoing entomological and parasitological surveillance are for communities and patients.
She has published research articles in international peer-reviewed journals and served as a trustee reviewer for international journals. Patricia collaborates with the Malaria Eradication Scientific Alliance as a Senior Editor, reporting on international conferences. Committed to driving equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of vector control, she is actively involved in professional women’s organisations and serves as a Malaria Youth Champion with the African Leader Malaria Alliance.
Patricia’s research interests focus on vector bioecology and medical entomology, with a particular interest in vector-host-parasite interactions and their impact on disease transmission dynamics. By studying these relationships, she aims to contribute to the control and elimination of vector-borne diseases through evidence-based strategies. Her work also involves implementation research, assessing the effectiveness of existing interventions and optimising their deployment. Additionally, Patricia has a strong interest in parasite genomic surveillance, which provides critical insights into parasite diversity, evolution, and resistance patterns, ultimately informing more effective control measures.
Patricia contributes to teaching about urban malaria and the control of the invasive species anopheles stephensi in urban settings as part of the Vector Population Biology and Control module for MSc students.
She also supports the fieldwork and academic activities of PhD students involved in the project she is working on.