Professor Charles Wondji

Biography

Charles Wondji is a Professor of genetics and vector biology at LSTM (UK). He is Executive Director of the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID, Cameroon), heading the LSTM Research Unit at CRID (LRUC). For nearly 25 years, his research has focused on understanding the biology and genetics of mosquitoes, vectors of tropical diseases including malaria and arboviral diseases. Through several Wellcome Trust Fellowships, his group has made significant breakthroughs in elucidating the genetics basis of metabolic resistance to insecticide in malaria vectors with the detection of key genes and genetic markers allowing the design of simple DNA-based tools to easily detect resistance by national control programs to inform resistance management strategies. His grant portfolio includes funding from diverse funders such as BMGF, NIH, CDC, MRC/BBSRC, global funds and Unitaid. He is strongly committed to create a positive research environment in his team and has contributed to the careers of many helping them secure grants to start their path to independence. He has supervised 19 PhD students (UK/Africa) and sponsored 14 African scientists to secure Wellcome fellowships (Master, training, intermediate and senior levels) a work for which he was awarded the Chalmers medal by the UK Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2021. He is a member of several international bodies including the WHO Guideline Development Group for Vector Control, the external scientific advisory committee (ESAC) of IVCC and of several research consortiums. He sits on several international funding review committees (e.g Wellcome Early Career Award committee).

Research interests

Charles’ main research interest is the understanding of the biology, genetics and genomics of mosquitoes, vectors of tropical diseases including Malaria and arboviral diseases (e.g dengue). His research aims at using genetic and genomic tools to characterise mosquito populations and help maximise their control. He specially focuses in understanding the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes by detecting molecular resistance markers using genomic/genetic tools and designing suitable molecular assays to track resistance in field populations to assess their impact on control interventions and optimize control strategies. His research group, between CRID and LSTM, uses quantitative genetics (QTL mapping), transcriptomics (RNAseq), GWAS-PoolSeq, as well as bioassays and functional analyses (GAL4/UAS transgenic expression, RNAi, recombinant enzyme characterisation…). He is also defining patterns of gene flow and selective sweeps to predict the evolution and spread of resistance while assessing the fitness cost of resistance and its impact on control interventions using experimental huts trials in Africa. He also collaborates with others to address key topics Including on Gene drive (Prof Diabate, Burkina Faso), functional genetics with CRISPR-CAS9 in Anopheles funestus (Prof Nolan; LSTM), on non-falciparum species through the EMERGENTS ICEMR-NIH (Prof Dinglasan, University Florida, Prof Christian Happi ACEGID). Other research activities include capacity building such as in mathematical modelling in vector control in Africa through a BMGF grant, training 16 African PhD students, setting up an African vector genomics hub at CRID (AVecGen; Cameroon) and monitoring the spread of the invasive malaria vector species An. stephensi in Central Africa (CDC grant).

Teaching

Charles participates in the teaching of the BSc programme in Tropical Biology (University of Liverpool), the joint Masters programmes in Biology and Control of Parasites and Disease Vectors/Molecular Biology of Parasites and Disease Vectors and the Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTMH) at LSTM.