Dr Udoka C. Nwangwu

I am a medical entomologist specializing in the ecology, surveillance, and control of disease vectors of public health importance. As the Head of the Entomology Unit at the National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Centre, Nigeria, I lead research aimed at strengthening evidence-based strategies for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.

I am co-chair, scientific committee, West Africa Aedes Surveillance Network (WAASuN); Vice President, Entomological Society of Nigeria; member, Integrated Vector Management sub-committee, Nigeria National Malaria Elimination Programme; and I was a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Wolbachia species strain on Aedes aegypti population replacement and suppression product (2022–2023). Through these efforts, I support the development of robust vector control interventions and programmes and the advancement of research on emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases.

My research focuses on the biology, ecology, and surveillance of mosquito vectors and the pathogens they transmit, with particular emphasis on generating evidence to support effective vector control and disease prevention strategies. My interests include: arboviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, including Yellow Fever, Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya; malaria transmission dynamics and surveillance of malaria vectors; insecticide resistance monitoring and management; and integrated vector management and operational research to support public health programmes.

Through my research and leadership of the Vector Biology Research Cluster at CTID^R I seek to advance understanding of vector ecology and bionomics, and support the development of sustainable, evidence-based approaches to the control of the vectors and the diseases they transmit.