Parasites, Vectors and the Environment (PARAENVI)
In our group we apply an interdisciplinary, One Health approach to the study of human and animal parasites and how these are affected by anthropogenic environmental changes. We seek to integrate knowledge that reaches beyond specific diseases, species or scientific disciplines, to aid the discovery of new solutions to detect, predict and control human and animal parasitic diseases in a constantly changing world.
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Health, Disease and control With a one health perspective we work to assess the disease burden of parasite infection on human health with an emphasis on poverty-related, vector-borne diseases of public health concern. The knowledge obtained is highly relevant for and can be translated into strategies for control. Vector and disease ecology We work to reveal how anthropogenic changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss and habitat disruption influence the distribution, dynamics and interactions between parasites, vectors, hosts and reservoir species. We use this knowledge to inform predictions about emerging patterns of parasitic diseases of humans and animals in order to enhance preparedness. Detection and surveillance We develop molecular-based, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), diagnostic tools for rapid, on-site detection of parasites and vectors in the environment to facilitate early detection before spillover to animals or humans. We also investigate the use of citizen science-based methods to boost surveillance capacity and to increase public science engagement. |
Schistosomiasis and climate change. De Leo GA, Stensgaard AS, Sokolow SH, N'Goran EK, Chamberlin AJ, Yang GJ, Utzinger, J.BMJ 2020; 371: doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4324
Environmental DNA for improved detection and environmental surveillance of schistosomiasis. Sengupta M.E., Hellström M., Kariuki H.C., Olsen A., Thomsen P.F., Mejer H., Willerslev E., Mwanje M.T., Madsen H., Kristensen T.K., Stensgaard A.-S., Vennervald B.J., PNAS, 116, Issue 18, 30 April 2019, Pages 8931-8940: doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1815046116
Schistosomiasis. McManus DP, Dunne DW, Sacko M, Utzinger J, Vennervald BJ, Zhou XN, Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018; 4(1):13. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0013-8
The Research Platform for Disease Ecology, Health and Climate. (2020-2024) Funded by the Knud Højgaard Foundation.
Impact of increased praziquantel frequency on childhood fibrosis in persistent schistosomiasis morbidity hotspots (FibroScHot). Funded by EDCTP2, European Union (https://www.fibroschot.eu/)(2018-2022)
- European Commission H2020
- Knud Højgaards Fond
- Augustinus Fonden
- DANIDA
- European Commission EDCTP2
Group Leader
Professor Birgitte Jyding Vennervald
Dyrlægevej 100, 2.sal,
1870 Frederiksberg C, 1-05
bjv@sund.ku.dk
Phone: + 45 3533 1440
Cell: + 45 2382 4025
The PARAENVI Group
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madsen, Henry | Emeritus | ||
| Sengupta, Mita Eva | Assistant Professor | +4535331418 | |
| Stensgaard, Anna-Sofie | Associate Professor | +4535336588 | |
| Upfold, Jennifer Kate | Postdoc | ||
| Vennervald, Birgitte J | Professor | +4535331440 | |
| van der Deure, Tiem | PhD Fellow | +4535333615 |
External Researchers
| Pascal Magnussen | Associate Professor | |
| Lembris Njotto | Visiting fellow, 24.9.-27.11.2024 | |
| Master students | ||
| Clarissa Josephine Seige | 1.9.2024 |