dr-patric-epopa

DR. PATRIC EPOPA

Junior scientist on field entomology, Anopheles mosquito ecology and malaria vector control.

BIOGRAPHY

Education:

  • D. Medical Entomology (Applied Biology and Biological system modeling), Université Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, July 2019. Title of thesis: “Entomological preparatory studies prior to the implementation of a genetic control strategy against malaria vectors in West Burkina Faso.”
  • Master of Science (MSc) in Medical and veterinary entomology, co-tuthorship with the Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin and the Université de Montpellier II (UM2), Montpellier, France. June 2012.
  • Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Sciences and Health Professional Studies (Major: Medical Immunology), Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Yaounde, Cameroon. July 2010.
  • Master of Science (MSc/DEA) in Animal Biology, Option: Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences (FS), University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Yaounde, Cameroon. February 2008.
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biomedical Sciences and Health Professional Studies Major: Clinical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Yaounde, Cameroon. June 2008.
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences (FS), University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Yaounde, Cameroon. June 2005.

Brief Professional History:

May 2022 – present

Principal Investigator for a research project entitle: “Developing optimized implementation strategies to improve the efficiency of genetic control approaches against malaria vectors in Burkina Faso”, funded through Wellcome Trust International Training Fellowship / NIH / UKaid. The research project is housed at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

August 2017 – present

Associate field entomology coordinator and manager of the molecular biology laboratory of the Target Malaria research consortium (www.targetmalaria.org) in Burkina Faso, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

July 2012 – July 2017  

In-country field entomology coordinator for the Target Malaria research consortium (www.targetmalaria.org) in Burkina Faso, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Brief Professional History:

May 2022 – present

Principal Investigator for a research project entitle: “Developing optimized implementation strategies to improve the efficiency of genetic control approaches against malaria vectors in Burkina Faso”, funded through Wellcome Trust International Training Fellowship / NIH / UKaid. The research project is housed at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

August 2017 – present

Associate field entomology coordinator and manager of the molecular biology laboratory of the Target Malaria research consortium (www.targetmalaria.org) in Burkina Faso, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

July 2012 – July 2017  

In-country field entomology coordinator for the Target Malaria research consortium (www.targetmalaria.org) in Burkina Faso, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Professional experience:

Over the ten (10) last years, I have worked on malaria vector biology and control at the IRSS (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) in Burkina Faso, a leading Centre of malaria vector research in Africa. My professional and research works have encompassed study of innovative genetic control strategies for malaria vectors, and elucidation of malaria vector dynamics in a range of settings.  Key contributions include:

  • Since 2012, I have been a core member of Target Malaria, an international research consortium that is leading the development and implementation of new genetic control tool for malaria vectors (www.targetmalaria.org); with a view to carry out the first evaluation of the gene drive approach in Africa.  Here I co-led the first open field release and monitoring studies of malaria genetically modified mosquitoes (referenced as to Ac(DSM)2) in the world, proceeded in Burkina Faso in July 2019 (Yao et al., 2022); representing the successful completion of the first step in a three stage development pathway for implementation.
  • From July 2012 to July 2017, I worked as the field entomology coordinator for the Target Malaria research consortium in Burkina Faso and from August 2017 as the associate coordinator Field entomology and manager of the molecular biology laboratory of the same research project in Burkina Faso. At these positions, in addition to coordinating mosquito releases and surveillance, I contributed to three major project milestones.
  • First, I drafted required study protocols, guidelines and SOPs to successfully meet regulatory compliance at insectary and field sites. This facilitated regulatory approval that allowed the study to proceed (Collins and Quinlan, 2020).
  • Second, I contributed to the development of strategies to build coherent and comprehensive messaging to engage local communities and win their support throughout the process (Paré et , 2022).
  • Third, I led field studies designed to characterize entomological conditions and monitor malaria entomological transmission and malaria vectors seasonal abundance and spatial dynamic, at proposed release sites (Epopa et , 2017; 2019).
  • I have inspired and contributed to the harmonization of protocols, SOPs and research procedures across African collaborating research teams involved in the multi-countries research project Target Malaria, to improve comparability and valuing of data (Collins et al, 2018, conference paper).
  • I have also highlighted the importance of widening malaria vector surveillance to include monitoring outside of typical domestic settings in rural villages (Epopa et al., 2020).
  • I further contributed to vector surveillance through development of an improved version of the BioGents® Sentinel mosquito trap in collaboration with a Malian research team. This trap, called the “BGSH” trap (Guindo et al., 2021) enables improved outdoor mosquito sampling as required for monitoring malaria mosquitoes across wide areas.
  • In association with the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) of the FAO/IAEA Joint division (Vienna, Austria), I have contributed to the development of mosquito mass rearing strategies in insectary through the development of an optimal mosquito larval food regime (Epopa et al., 2018), and improvement of mosquito sex separation systems (Papathanos et al, 2018).
  • I have contributed to the training and capacity building of several research teams and technicians from African research institutions partners of IRSS through number of practical training and workshops. Some of these training activities included;
  • From 10th to 30th April 2015, the training of a Malian partner research team (from the Malaria Research and Training Centre – MRTC, Bamako Mali), member of Target Malaria research consortium in the techniques of male Anopheles mosquitoes monitoring in the field;
  • From 1st to 09th May 2015, the training of a Ugandan partner research team (from the Ugandan Virus Research Institute – UVRI) , member of Target Malaria research consortium, in the techniques of prospection, identification and sampling of Anopheles mosquitoes’ swarms, and in Anopheles mosquitoes’ morphological identification techniques;
  • From 05th to 15th July 2017, the training of a Malian partner research team (Malaria Research and Training Centre – MRTC), member of Target Malaria research consortium in the techniques of male-based Anopheles mosquitoes’ Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) experiments.
  • I am author and co-author of nine (09) scientific papers published in highly indexed international scientific journal.

I have acted as a peer reviewer for nine different international scientific journals since 2019 (Parasites and Vectors”; “Epidemiology and Infection”, “Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine”, “Malaria Journal”, “GeoJournal”, “Medicine”, “Wellcome Open Research”, “Plos Negleted Tropical Diseases”, “BMJ Public Health”).

Meetings and Presentations (selection):

2022

  • Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Training workshop for Malaria control professionals in Burkina Faso. From 01st to 03rd June 2022, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Invited speaker to deliver a course on the alternative approaches for malaria vector control: genetic control of malaria vectors, the gene drive approach and SIT 

2021

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of AUDA-NEPAD. From 22th to 23th December 2021, Dakar-Sally, Senegal.

Invited expert and technical advisor in the brainstorming forum sessions to explain the gene drive technology and related important considerations for application in malaria control. 

  • Strategic information workshop of AUDA-NEPAD on Gene drive technology as innovative vector control tools and potential applications for malaria control. From 06th to 07th December 2021, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Invited speaker.   

  • Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Training workshop for Malaria control professionals in Burkina Faso. From 20th to 22th October 2021, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Invited speaker to deliver a course on the alternative approaches for malaria vector control: genetic control of malaria vectors, the gene drive approach and SIT

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of ANB (National Biosafety Agency) and AUDA-NEPAD. From 17th to 20th August 2021, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Invited expert for brainstorming forum sessions for the strengthening of national regulatory policies toward new and modern biotechnology tools.

  • Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Training workshop for Malaria control professionals in Burkina Faso. From 23th to 26th May 2021, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Invited speaker to deliver a course on the alternative approaches for malaria vector control: genetic control of malaria vectors, the gene drive approach and SIT

2020

  • First annual Scientific Days Conference of the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS). Ouagadougou Burkina Faso. From 17th to 19th December 2020, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Presentation on the results of the first open field release and monitoring studies of malaria genetically modified mosquitoes proceeded in Burkina Faso.

2019

  • Sixth Target Malaria annual Project Team Meeting. From 13th to 15th February 2019Accra, Ghana.

Invited speaker

2018

  • Seventh Annual Conference of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM). From 15th to 20th April 2018Dakar, Senegal.

Presentation on Comparability of data at wide spatial scales: Co-developing comparable and coherent baselines for mosquito monitoring across Africa.

2017

  • Fourth annual conference of Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA). From 16th to 18th October 2017Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Several oral and poster presentation on new developed mosquito monitoring approaches and tools.

  • Fifth annual Project Team Meeting of Target Malaria research consortium. From 13th to 16th February 2017, Entebbe, Uganda.

Invited speaker

2016

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of Target Malaria consortium. From 16th to 20th May 2016, Entebbe, Uganda

Invited expert for brainstorming forum sessions for conceptualization of field entomology and stakeholders’ engagement protocols in relation to genetic vector control research in Africa.

.2015

  • Fourth annual Project Team Meeting of Target Malaria research consortium. From 02nd to 06th November 2015, Windsor, UK.

Invited speaker to present updates in entomological field monitoring of the research project in Burkina Faso.

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of Target Malaria consortium. From 15th to 19th June 2015, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Co-organizer of the brainstorming forum sessions for the harmonization of field survey protocols, data sheets and spreadsheets to improve comparability of data across African country teams.

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of Target Malaria consortium. From 16th to 21th February 2015, Entebbe, Uganda.

Invited expert for brainstorming forum sessions for the development of adequate stakeholders’ engagement approaches for the project.

2014

  • Third annual Project Team Meeting of Target Malaria research consortium. From 27th October to 01st November 2014, New Orleans, USA.

Invited speaker to present update in entomological field monitoring of the research project in Burkina Faso.

2013

  • First annual Project Team Meeting of Target Malaria research consortium. From 28th January to 01st February 2013, Perugia, Italy.

Invited speaker to present update in entomological field monitoring of the research project in Burkina Faso.

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of Target Malaria consortium. From 13th to 17th May 2013, Entebbe, Uganda.

Invited expert to the first brainstorming forum sessions for the conception of SOPs for the containment insectary facilities of the Target Malaria research project in Africa.

  • Strategic brainstorming workshop of Target Malaria consortium. From 09th to 14th September 2013, Mbita-Point, Kenya.

Invited expert to the Second brainstorming forum sessions for the conception of SOPs for the containment insectary facilities of the Target Malaria research project in Africa.

Publications:

Niang A; Epopa PS; Sawadogo SP; Maïga H; Konaté L; Faye O; Dabiré RK; Tripet F; Diabaté A. Does extreme asymmetric dominance promote hybridization between Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae s.s. in seasonal malaria mosquito communities of West Africa? Parasites and Vectors. 2015; 8:586, DOI 10.1186/s13071-015-1190-x.

Epopa PS, Millogo AA, Collins CM, North A, Tripet F, Benedict MQ, Diabate A. The use of sequential mark-release-recapture experiments to estimate population size, survival and dispersal of male mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex in Bana, a west African humid savannah village. Parasites and Vectors. 2017;10:376. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2310-6.

Epopa PS, Maïga H, Hien DFS, Dabiré RK, Lees RS, Gilles J, Baldet T, Tripet F, Damiens D, Diabaté A. Assessment of the developmental success of Anopheles gambiae larvae under different nutrient regimes: effects of diet quality, food amount and larval density. Malaria Journal. 2018;17:377. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2530-z.

Papathanos PA; Bourtzis K; Tripet F, Bossin H, Virginio JF, Capurro ML, Pedrosa MC, Guindo A, Sylla L, Coulibaly MB, Yao FA, Epopa PS and Diabaté A. A perspective on the need and current status of efficient sex separation methods for mosquito genetic control. Parasites and Vectors. 2018; 11(Suppl 2):0. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3222-9.

Epopa PS, Collins CM, North A, Millogo AA, Benedict MQ, Tripet F, Diabaté A. Seasonal malaria vector and transmission dynamics in western Burkina Faso. Malaria Journal. 2019;18:113. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2747-5.

Epopa PS, Millogo AA, Collins CM, North A, O’loughlin S, Benedict MQ, Dabiré RK, Tripet F, Ouédraogo GA, Diabaté A. Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) is found where few are looking: assessing mosquito diversity and density outside inhabited areas using diverse sampling methods. Parasites and Vectors. 2020;13:516. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04403-9.

Guindo A*, Epopa PS*, Doumbia S, Millogo AA, Diallo B, Yao FA, Yagoure B, Tripet F, Diabate A, Coulibaly MB. Improved BioGents® Sentinel trap with heat (BGSH) for outdoor collections of Anopheline species in Burkina Faso and Mali, West Africa. Parasites and Vectors. 2021;14:82. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04527-y.

Yao FA, Millogo AA, Epopa PS, North A, Noulin F, Dao K, et al. Mark-release-recapture experiment in Burkina Faso demonstrates reduced fitness and dispersal of genetically-modified sterile malaria mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 2022;13(1), 796–11.

Pare Toe L , Nourou B, Ky AD, Kekele S , Meda WI, Bayala K, Drabo M, Thizy D , Majorin O, Coche I, Epopa PS, Namountougou M, Dabire RK, Diabate A. A multi-disciplinary approach forbuilding a common understanding of geneticengineering for malaria control in Burkina Faso. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 2022 ;9 :117. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01122-7.

Grant and funding:

  1. International Training Fellowship

Grant number: 224253/Z/21/Z

Funder: Wellcome Trust (London, UK)

Title of the project:  Developing optimized implementation strategies to improve the efficiency of genetic control approaches against malaria vectors in Burkina Faso.

Funding period: 02nd May 2022 to 01st May 2025

Amount granted: 281,918 GBP (about 360 000 USD)

Other team members