I did my first degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Szent Isvtán in Budapest (2008-2014) where I became interested in parasitology and infectious diseases. I then undertook a PhD in Parasitology at University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest (2014-2018) where I focused on the morphology, epidemiology and molecular evolution of Schistosoma blood flukes of medical and veterinary importance. During my PhD I worked in collaboration with Kingston University in London where I became increasingly interested in the use of molecular genetics in the identification and monitoring of disease vectors and vector borne diseases, later I went on to be involved in a project to produce the phylogenetic framework for Radix auricularia the intermediate host of Schistosoma turkestanicum. I have seven years of experience as a Senior Lecturer at University of Veterinary Medicine and at the Semmelweis University Medicine and Health Sciences Budapest, Hungary and all that it encompasses from being an effective educator to students from diverse backgrounds to providing support as an academic tutor and being involved in academic school administration.
Research
My research within HUGS helps to guide current and future control interventions against schistosomiasis, and is contributing towards newly revised WHO guidelines. The HUGS study is internationally important and explores not only the basic biology and applied epidemiology of hybridization between human and animal schistosomes but also enhances the research capacity and links between UK and Malawi.
HUGS project focused on tracking unusual schistosome hybrids in local livestock in Malawi. I have proven that Schistosoma mattheei, a previously unknown species in Malawi, is very common in cattle and they can also harbour Schistosoma haematobium-mattheei hybrids.
Using a combination of classical parasitological diagnostic methods and state-of-the-art tracking with remote GPS dataloggers, the spatial patterns of bovine schistosomiasis transmission were shown to closely overlap with that of urogenital schistosomiasis. This May, I presented some recent information on bovine schistosomiasis in Malawi and public health impact, meeting of Schistosomiasis in Health and Agriculture, Zanzibar
Furthermore, I have developed excellent links with Knowsley Safari and have presented my work at a meeting of the Royal Society. These examinations are the basis of research projects, in which we also involve BSc and MSc students.
I regularly review for the journal Parasitology, Parasites and Vectors and Veterinary Parasitology. I am an active member of the British Society for Parasitology and helped develop various social media materials to enhance their brand at conferences.
Teaching
I have ten years of experience as a Senior Lecturer at University of Veterinary Medicine and at the Semmelweis University Medicine and Health Sciences Budapest, Hungary.
I successfully applied and was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2022 (HEA).
Since joining the LSTM, I have developed new lectures with Prof Stothard upon specific context to zoonotic helminthiasis and OneHealth. I currently supervise an average of 3 undergraduate and postgraduate projects per year, several of which have won both internal and external awards. Most importantly I mentored these students in authorship of peer-reviewed publications.