Brent Thomas

Programme Manager

Brent obtained a BSc in Biology in Alberta, Canada before moving to Liverpool to study for a MSc in Medical Entomology and Parasitology at LSTM in 2008/09.

He joined LSTM in 2010 as a consultant for CNTD before moving to the Vector Group working on insecticide resistance mechanisms and their impact on malaria control programmes in Sudan. In 2011 he returned to CNTD as the M&E research assistant where he worked on implementation and M&E activities for the DFID funded lymphatic filariasis elimination programme to strengthen regional programmes and ‘shrink’ the LF map. While at CNTD he also worked with the ICOSA control programme for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Zambia, Mozambique and Liberia to facilitate the starting/scale-up of activities.

As the programme progressed he took on the role of programme manager for the Liberian and Ghanaian NTD programmes as well as the laboratories support by CNTD. The management of the country programmes required the oversight of implementation, M&E and morbidity activities participated in key planning and document writing sessions with the Ministries and other partners. He has worked with the Ministries and partners in Liberia and Ghana to develop the countries Case Management Strategic Plan to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the programmes as well as the coordination and cooperation between groups and partners working with case management NTDs.

Brent joined the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions (CSRI) at LSTM in 2019 as a programme manager for the National Institute for Health Research fund African Snakebite Research Group.

Brent has a vested interest in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the programmes through co-implementation and integrated (when possible) of programmes and activities for NTDs; both the traditionally preventive chemotherapy NTDs as well as the case management NTDs. 

Brent has been involved with the parasitological and entomological practical demonstrations and examinations for both the DTMH and the MSc since 2011. He is involved in the teaching and evaluations conducted in the Biology and Control of Parasite and Disease Vectors MSc with a primary focus on the module Trop 719 ‘Parasite Epidemiology & Control’ through demonstrations, lectures and marking. Additionally, he has taught Trop 706 ‘Development of a Disease control programme’.

Brent joined the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions (CSRI) at LSTM in 2019 as a programme manager for the National Institute for Health Research fund African Snakebite Research Group.

Brent has a vested interest in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the programmes through co-implementation and integrated (when possible) of programmes and activities for NTDs; both the traditionally preventive chemotherapy NTDs as well as the case management NTDs. 

Brent has been involved with the parasitological and entomological practical demonstrations and examinations for both the DTMH and the MSc since 2011. He is involved in the teaching and evaluations conducted in the Biology and Control of Parasite and Disease Vectors MSc with a primary focus on the module Trop 719 ‘Parasite Epidemiology & Control’ through demonstrations, lectures and marking. Additionally, he has taught Trop 706 ‘Development of a Disease control programme’.

Selected publications

  • Lines, et al, (2018) Implications of insecticide resistance for malaria vector control with long-lasting insecticidal nets: trends in pyrethroid resistance during a WHO-coordinated multi-country prospective study Parasit Vectors 11:550; doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3101-4

    Ismail, et al (2018) Temporal and spatial trends in insecticide resistance in Anopheles arabiensis in Sudan: outcomes from an evaluation of implications of insecticide resistance for malaria vector control. Parasit Vectors 11:122; doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2732-9

    Kafy HT, Ismail BA, Mnzava AP, Lines, J, Adbin MSE, Elather, JS, Banaga AO, West P, Bradley J, Cook, J, Thomas B, Subramaniam K, Hemingway J, Know TB, Malik EM, Yukich Jo, Donnelly MJ, Kleinschmidt I (2017) Impact of insecticide resistance in Anopheles arabiensis on malaria incidence and prevalence in Sudan and costs of mitigation. PNAS 2017 114 (52) E11267-E11275; published ahead of print December 11, 2017, doi:10.1073/pnas.1713814114

    Kelly-Hope LA, Paulo R, Thomas BC, Brito M, Unnasch TR, Molyneux D (2017) Loa loa vectors Chrysops spps.: perspectives on research, distribution bionomics, and implications for elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Parasit Vectors: 10:172. DOI 10.1186/s13071-017-2103-y

    Kollie K, Thomas B, Wickenden A, Oyene U, Bettee A, Thomas C, Moore M, Zaizay Z, Whitton J, Sonii A, Kateh F, Koudou B, Mackenzie C (2016) Assessment of the needs for the Neglected Tropical Disease, Non-Communicable Disease, and Eye Health Programmes (NNEP) in Liberia following the outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease. UNPUBLISHED currently in writing stage, presented at ASTMH 2016

    Thomas BC, Kollie KK, Mackenzie C (2017) Commentary: restarting NTD programme activities after the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Infectious Dis Pov 6:52

    Knowles, S, et al (2017) Optimising cluster survey design for planning schistosomiasis preventive chemotherapy. PloS Negl. Trop. Dis. 11(5) doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005599

    Mkwanda S, Ngwira B, Thomas BC, Fahy J, Rebollo MP, Kelly-Hope L, Bockarie M (2015) Towards the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis In Malawi: Cessation of Mass Drug Administration after Transmission Assessment Surveys. UNPUBLISHED currently in writing stage, presented at ASTMH 2015

    Rebollo MP, Sombo S, Thomas BC, Biritwum NK, Jaye MC, Kelly-Hope LA, Guy M, Escalada AG, Molyneux D, Bockarie MJ (2015) Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in The Gambia. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 9(3). doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003642

    Rebollo MP, Mohammed K, Thomas BC, Ame S, Mohammed S, Cano J, Savioli L, Escalada AG, Bockarie MJ (2015) Cessation of mass drug administration of lymphatic filariasis in Zanzibar in 2006: was transmission interrupted?; PloS Negl. Trop. Dis. 9(3). doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003669

    Rebollo M, Mkwanada S, Kelly-Hope LA, Ngwira BM, Thomas BC, Cano J, Bockarie MJ; Rapid scale up with high treatment coverage for lymphatic filariasis elimination in Malawi: impact on infection rates after 3 to 4 treatment rounds. UNPUBLISHED, presented at ASTMH 2013

    Kelly-Hope LA, Thomas BC, Bockarie MJ, Molyneux DH (2011) Lymphatic filariasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo; micro-stratification overlap mapping (MOM) as a prerequisite for control and surveillance. Parasit Vectors 4:178. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-178