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.

Selected research publications

The effectiveness of long-lasting spatial repellent emanators against malaria in humanitarian crisis settings in northern Nigeria: a two-arm pragmatic, open-label, controlled trial – Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases – Published: 8th January 2026

Susceptibility of Anopheles stephensi SDA500 strain to common insecticides and efficacy of glazed tile bioassay for resistance characterization – Journal: Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases – Published: 5th January 2026

Predictive chemoproteomics and functional validation reveal Coeae6g-mediated insecticide cross-resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae – Journal: Nature Communications – Published: 28th November 2025

Co-occurrence of native and invasive malaria vectors in anthropogenic habitats in Metehara, Ethiopia: Opportunities for urban malaria control – Journal: Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases – Published: 24th November 2025

Evaluating a novel multi-species vector control tool for humanitarian crises: the efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits among forcibly displaced populations in Northern Nigeria – Journal: BMC Medicine – Published: 11th November 2025

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