Vector-borne disease surveillance using metagenomic sequencing

The OneZoo CDT offers an unprecedented level of diversity and transdisciplinarity, with award-winning educators and experts in zoonotic diseases and environmental sciences from Cardiff University, Aberystwyth University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The OneZoo CDT works collectively, fosters creation of the OneZoo research community, and empowers students to develop their own training to acquire strong transferable skills.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is pleased to invite applications for 4 projects for 2025-26 based at the School.

OneZoo students will undertake a 3.5 year systematic programme of training in core transferable and specialist skills, alongside their specific PhD project, that will build an in depth understanding of the key drivers of zoonotic diseases and form the basis for devising holistic solutions.

Background

Our transdisciplinary OneZoo CDT will equip the next generation of world-leading scientists with the skills and insight necessary to tackle current and future zoonotic threats. To design successful, innovative environmental prevention and control strategies, zoonotic drivers need to be understood through an integrated systems approach. As part of the OneZoo programme you will build an in-depth understanding of the connectivity between key drivers of pathogen host shifts, spill-over and onward transmission; exploring pathogen, environmental and human societal processes that can promote zoonotic disease and form the basis of integrated environmental solutions.

About the project

Vector-borne diseases pose a significant global health threat, responsible for millions of infections and deaths each year. Climate change and increased urbanisation affect vector habitats and increase the risk of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases. Traditional surveillance methods often fall short in rapidly identifying both known and new pathogens, and new methods are needed for rapid pathogen identification. Our team’s background in metagenomics, bioinformatics, entomology and vector-borne diseases will ensure the student is supported in both the technical and applied aspects of this project. This PhD project aims to develop and implement a metagenomic sequencing framework for the surveillance of vector-borne diseases, focusing on the detection of pathogens and the identification of vector species, including invasive species. In addition, the student will explore the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in combination with metagenomics to detect the presence of invasive species and pathogens in various environments without the need for capturing live specimens.

Where will the project be based?

LSHTM, UK, possibility of visits to Ghana and USA.

Funding Notes:

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) was awarded funding as part of the OneZoo CDT to support studentships over three years, with cohort intakes in the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.

The studentship will provide:

• tuition fees (at the LSHTM home fee rate);
• a student stipend (at the UKRI studentship rate, which was GBP 21,237.00 per annum in 2024-25); and
• a research training and support grant to go towards consumables and training for the duration of the award.

Applicants must meet minimum LSHTM entry requirements. Please see the specific project details above for any further requirements.

Some projects may be suitable for part-time study; anyone wishing to undertake part-time study is encouraged to contact the supervisor for more details.

Successful international applicants will be eligible for an LSHTM international fee bursary to cover the tuition fee top up costs in full for studentships awarded via OneZoo. Please note that priority will be given to applicants who are nationals of, and residents in, low income countries and lower middle income countries (LLMICs), and that the number of bursaries is limited to one per programme in any academic year for these schemes, as is noted on the LSHTM international recruitment statement.

Successful international applicants who are not awarded an LSHTM international fee bursary will be required to cover the tuition fee top up costs from other sources (e.g. other scholarship or bursary awards). Awardees may not use their studentship stipend to top up fees.

Supervisors:

• Principal Supervisor: Professor Susana Campino (LSHTM)
• Co-Supervisor: Professor Taane Clark (LSHTM)
• Co-Supervisor: Dr Mojca Kristan (LSHTM)
• Co-Supervisor: Dr Ross Cuthbert (Queen’s University Belfast)
• Partner Supervisor: Dr Louisa Messenger (University of Nevada)

For further information, contact Professor Susana Campino (susana.campino@lshtm.ac.uk)

Any general queries regarding research degrees at the London School of Hygiene and tropical medicine, please email doctoralcollege@lshtm.ac.uk