Biography
Dr. Hanafy Mahmoud Ismail is a Lecturer in Vector Biology at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and leads the Chemical Biology Group. He obtained his BSc and MSc in Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology from Alexandria University, Egypt. In 2007, he joined LSTM to focus on molecular aspects of drug and insecticide resistance.
Research interests
Dr. Ismail’s research is dedicated to understanding and tackling the global challenge of insecticide resistance across disease vectors, with a focus on safeguarding the long-term efficacy of control interventions. His work spans the interface of chemical biology, entomology, and pharmacology, leveraging advanced tools such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profiling, proteomics, and genetic analysis to uncover resistance mechanisms and predict their impact on product performance. A central aim of his research is to understand how existing resistance mechanism in circulation influence the effectiveness and durability of new insecticides, formulations, and delivery systems-insights that are critical for guiding proactive resistance management and product innovation. By integrating mechanistic understanding with translational application, Dr. Ismail’s lab mission supports the development of next-generation vector control strategies that are both sustainable and adaptive to emerging resistance threats.
Teaching
Dr. Ismail has extensive international academic experience in teaching and research supervision, supporting students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. His multidisciplinary teaching portfolio covers pesticide chemistry and toxicology, analytical and organic chemistry, protein structure and chemistry, vector biology, and insecticide resistance. His teaching at LSTM is research-led and grounded in real-world applications, drawing on active research programmes and strategic collaborations with global academic and industry partners.
He currently lectures on the following MSc modules: Research Methods in Tropical Disease, Applied Bioinformatics, and Research Project Dissertation (also serving as module Convenor/ co-lead).
Dr. Ismail welcomes enquiries from PhD students interested in interdisciplinary research across pesticide chemistry, resistance mechanisms, applied chemical biology, and novel vector control strategies. He is particularly interested in supervising projects that integrate molecular, biochemical, and analytical techniques to address emerging challenges in public health entomology and the evolving landscape of insecticide resistance.
Selected research publications
Predictive chemoproteomics and functional validation reveal Coeae6g-mediated insecticide cross-resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae – Journal: Nature Communications – Published: 28th November 2025
Twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) based fluorescent probes and imaging agents – Journal: Chemical Society Reviews – Published: 21st November 2025
Investigating the potential role of metabolic resistance genes in conferring cross-resistance to pyrethroids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in the major malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii – Journal: BMC Genomics – Published: 7th November 2025
Significant variations in tolerance to clothianidin and pirimiphos-methyl in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus populations during a dramatic malaria resurgence despite sustained indoor residual spraying in Uganda – Journal: Parasites and Vectors – Published: 23rd June 2025
Aedes aegypti control in breeding sites through an insecticidal coating with dual effect: Laboratory trials and safety assessment – Journal: Medical and Veterinary Entomology – Published: 1st June 2025
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