Dr Kelly Bennett

Research interests

I am interested in using ecology and genomic technology to study the evolution, adaptation and speciation of disease vectors. My research has largely focused on the ecology, demography and adaptation of Aedes arboviral and Anopheles malaria vectors as well as sylvatic forest mosquitoes. As part of MalariaGEN, I support research partners, train and mentor students to analyse genomic data and develop new analytical tools useful for vector surveillance.

Selected research publications

Genomic population structure and insecticide resistance mechanisms in the malaria vector An. coluzzii across contrasting bioclimatic zones in West Africa – Journal: BMC Genomics – Published: 6th January 2026

Genomic Analysis Reveals a New Cryptic Taxon Within the Anopheles gambiae Complex With a Distinct Insecticide Resistance Profile in the Coast of East Africa – Journal: Molecular Ecology – Published: 5th May 2025

Widespread geographic distribution of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) kdr variants in Panama – Journal: Journal of Medical Entomology – Published: 1st November 2024

Population genomic evidence of a putative ‘far-west’ African cryptic taxon in the Anopheles gambiae complex – Journal: Communications Biology – Published: 10th September 2024

The Anopheles coluzzii range extends into Kenya: detection, insecticide resistance profiles and population genetic structure in relation to conspecific populations in West and Central Africa – Journal: Malaria Journal – Published: 26th April 2024

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