Dr David Weetman

Biography

David Weetman graduated in Zoology (BSc) from the University of Newcastle and in Ecology (MSc) from the University of Wales, Bangor. His PhD in evolutionary biology at the University of Liverpool was followed by postdoctoral positions in the Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Group at the University of Hull, where he studied the population genetics of commercially and environmentally important species. He joined Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) in 2006 working as a senior postdoctoral research associate on the Innovative Vector Control Consortium and then National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-funded projects on the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in anopheles gambiae. David has been a lecturer at LSTM since 2015 and was appointed as Reader in 2020.

Research interests

David’s research focuses on control of vectors of human disease, particularly aedes and anopheles mosquitoes. Work focuses primarily on studies of (a) insecticide resistance genomics, transcriptomics and development and application of diagnostic markers (b) vector population genetics and genomics to identify adaptation and barriers to connectivity and spread (c) trials of vector control tools, including development and application of new monitoring methods. His current projects involve investigation of the biology, genetics and control of aedes aegytpi in West Africa (DengRIP), spread and control of invasive anopheles stephensi in Africa (CEASE) and the role of insecticide resistance mechanisms in anopheles gambiae control efficacy (GAARD2 project) and evaluation of factors influencing insecticide treated net effectiveness. In addition, his team provides molecular entomological support for surveillance and trial programmes by external partners.

Teaching

David teaches on several MSc modules including pathogen and vector biology, research methods, vector population biology and control and bioinformatics and he is the MSc vector theme lead.