University of Surrey joins global effort to combat a devastating tropical disease

A devastating tropical disease that affects over 240 million people worldwide is the subject of a new international project co-led by the University of Surrey. The project, known as DRIVERS, is funded to the tune of £8.1 million by the Wellcome Trust.

Schistosomiasis is a major public health issue caused by parasitic worms and particularly affecting populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite decades of mass drug administration, the disease remains entrenched in many communities. The DRIVERS project aims to uncover why current treatments are failing and provide evidence-based recommendations to improve disease control and move closer to elimination.

I am delighted to collaborate across disciplines in this project, where we can bridge key modelling gaps and support the development of sustainable guidance that will lead to schistosomiasis elimination. We have an amazing international team, and I am really looking forward to uncovering what is driving schistosomiasis persistence despite treatment. Dr Joaquin Prada, Co-Director Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology

By joining forces with experts in epidemiology, immunology, genetics and health policy from Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Malawi and the UK, the team will investigate the key factors driving poor treatment outcomes and rapid reinfection.

The DRIVERS project will analyse data from affected communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Malawi to identify the root causes of reduced drug efficacy and help develop improved models to better predict the impact of targeted treatment strategies, which will be shared with other affected countries and with the World Health Organization (WHO).

I am excited to be working with global experts to really tease out why drug treatment is not effective in some people, and why certain communities continue to have such high transmission despite repeated mass drug treatments. Findings will be rapidly shared with other affected countries and colleagues at the World Health Organization, to provide evidence-based recommendations to help us move towards eliminating this debilitating disease as a public health problem Professor Poppy Lamberton, study lead from the University of Glasgow

As part of this unique opportunity, I am thrilled to be leading the development of mathematical models and data analysis in the DRIVERS project. I am looking forward to combining insights from different disciplines to contribute to a deeper understanding of schistosomiasis, provide clear evidence for improved control, and move closer to eliminating this debilitating disease.” Mahbod Entezami, Postgraduate Research Student

Related sustainable development goals

Share what you've read?

Featured Academics

Dr Joaquin Prada

Co-Director Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology

Mahbod Entezami

Postgraduate Research Student

Media Contacts

External Communications and PR team
Phone: +44 (0)1483 684380 / 688914 / 684378
Email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Out of hours: +44 (0)7773 479911