Edima Bassey Essien

I am currently a PhD student in the Department of Zoology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a focused specialization in entomology. Throughout my career, my work has centered on the population dynamics of Anopheles mosquitoes to optimize malaria intervention strategies. Having worked with the Malaria Consortium, Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) across multiple states, I have gained comprehensive hands-on experience in rearing mosquitoes, identifying species, and coordinating complex field study protocols. My fieldwork includes collecting entomological and environmental data alongside traditional sampling methods, such as mosquito counts and larval collection records. Furthermore, I have executed insecticide susceptibility testing using CDC bottle bioassays, conducted ITN  efficacy observations, and managed survey responses integrated with malaria test results. I am constantly eager to build upon this field experience, master advanced methodologies, and continue growing as a researcher in the fight against vector-borne diseases.

Currently, I serve as a Research Assistant with the Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases Research (CTID^R), where I support vector surveillance activities across diverse ecological zones in Nigeria. My post is sponsored through the Wellcome Trust CDA fellowship to Dr Mahaman Lamine Moustapha, who is working in collaboration with the CTID^R on characterizing environmental resilience (temperature and humidity) of Microsporidia MB from across contrasting ecological settings spanning Nigeria and Niger Republic. My day-to-day responsibilities involve the collection and rearing of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, conducting indoor adult mosquito collections, and managing induced oviposition studies. Additionally, I collect environmental and ecological data using HOBO data loggers, manage mosquito sample preservation, transport, and colony maintenance, and oversee entomological data recording, field logistics coordination, and collaborative research output.

I am deeply passionate about public health and vector ecology. My long-term goal is to bridge laboratory science, field epidemiology, and community-based interventions to improve vector control strategies, optimize the deployment of interventions, and ultimately reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases.