Dr Inaki Tirados

Research Fellow

Areas of interest:

Integrated vector management. Behavioural studies of vectors of human and animal diseases. Development and implementation of low technologies to control tsetse, mosquitoes and blackflies. Sleeping sickness, malaria and onchocerciasis control.

Background

I was originally trained as a general biologist, with special focus on microbiology. However, my career as a “professional traveller” took off over 20 years ago, as I got involved with different NGOs. For about eight years, I worked in development health projects in a number of countries of Africa and South America. The experience led me into a different step in my career: I allowed myself to have a break and extend my studies, doing a course in tropical medicine at the University of Barcelona, and later on specialising in medical entomology and parasitology at the LSTM. Afterwards, I initiated my professional relationship with Prof Steve Torr, with whom I have been collaborating for the last 12 years, first working for Farm Africa, and then at the Natural Resources Institute (University of Greenwich). During this time we have been involved in field studies of malaria vectors and the development and implementation of low technologies to control Animal and Human African Trypanosomiasis, thought the suppression of their tsetse vectors. Low technologies to control vectors are intended to be used by untrained local communities, with little external support. During the same period I completed my PhD at the University of Greenwich. I joined LSTM in July 2013.

At present, I am particularly interested in the development and implementation of technologies than can be used by the poor communities to control vector-borne diseases, in particular sleeping sickness, malaria and onchocerciasis.

Research grants

I am primary involved in the Cargill Foundation-funded project, led at the LSTM by Prof Steve Torr and in collaboration with the Belgian ITM. The project aims to implement the use of ‘tiny targets’ in Bandundu Province (DRC) to control sleeping sickness.

Recent publications: 

    Selected publications

    • 1. Tirados, I., Esterhuizen, J., Kovacic, V., Mangwiro, T.N.C., Hastings, I., Solano, P., Lehane, M.J., Torr, S.J. (2015). Tsetse control and Gambian sleeping sickness; implications for control strategy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(8): e0003822. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003822

      2. Lamberton, P. H., R. A. Cheke, P. Winskill, I. Tirados, M. Walker, M. Y. Osei-Atweneboana, N. K. Biritwum, A. Tetteh-Kumah, D. A. Boakye, M. D. Wilson, R. Post and M. G. Basañez (2015). "Onchocerciasis transmission in Ghana: persistence under different control strategies and the role of the simuliid vectors." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(4): e0003688. doi: 0003610.0001371/journal.pntd.0003688.

      3. Shaw, A. P. M., I. Tirados, C. T. N. Mangwiro, J. Esterhuizen, M. J. Lehane, S. J. Torr and V. Kovacic (2015). "Costs of using “tiny targets” to control Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, a vector of Gambiense sleeping sickness in Arua District of Uganda." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(3): e0003624.

      4. Vale, G. A., J. W. Hargrove, P. Solano, F. Courtin, J. B. Rayaisse, M. J. Lehane, J. Esterhuizen, I. Tirados and S. J. Torr (2014). "Explaining the host-finding behavior of blood-sucking insects: computerized simulation of the effects of habitat geometry on tsetse fly movement." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8(6): e2901. doi:2910.1371/journal.pntd.000291

      5. Lamberton, P. H., R. A. Cheke, E. D. Walker, P. Winskill, M. Y. Osei-Atweneboana, I. Tirados, A. Tetteh-Kumah, D. A. Boakye, M. D. Wilson, R. J. Post and M. G. Basáñez (2014). "Onchocerciasis transmission in Ghana: biting and parous rates of host-seeking sibling species of the Simulium damnosum complex." Parasites & Vectors 7: 511. doi: 510.1186/s13071-13014-10511-13079.

      6. Kovacic, V., I. Tirados, J. Esterhuizen, C. T. Mangwiro, S. J. Torr, M. J. Lehane and H. Smith (2013). "Community acceptance of tsetse control baits: a qualitative study in Arua District, North West Uganda." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 7(12): e2579. doi:2510.1371/journal.pntd.0002579.

      7. Tirados, I., J. Esterhuizen, J. B. Rayaisse, A. Diarrassouba, D. Kaba, S. Mpiana, G. A. Vale, P. Solano, M. J. Lehane and S. J. Torr (2011). "How do tsetse recognise their hosts? The role of shape in the responses of tsetse (Glossina fuscipes and G. palpalis) to artificial hosts." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5(8): e1226.

      8. Tirados, I., G. Gibson, S. Young and S. Torr (2011). "Are herders protected by their herds? An experimental analysis of zooprophylaxis against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis." Malaria Journal 10(1): 68.

      9. Rayaisse, J. B., J. Esterhuizen, I. Tirados, D. Kaba, E. Salou, A. Diarrassouba, G. A. Vale, M. J. Lehane, S. J. Torr and P. Solano (2011). "Towards an optimal design of target for tsetse control: comparisons of novel targets for the control of palpalis group tsetse in West Africa." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5(9): e1332.

      10. Esterhuizen, J., J. B. Rayaisse, I. Tirados, S. Mpiana, P. Solano, G. A. Vale, M. J. Lehane and S. J. Torr (2011). "Improving the cost-effectiveness of visual devices for the control of riverine tsetse flies, the major vectors of human african trypanosomiasis." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5(8): e1257.

      11. Rayaisse, J. B., I. Tirados, D. Kaba, S. Y. Dewhirst, J. G. Logan, A. Diarrassouba, E. Salou, M. O. Omolo, P. Solano, M. J. Lehane, J. A. Pickett, G. A. Vale, S. J. Torr and J. Esterhuizen (2010). "Prospects for the development of odour baits to control the tsetse flies Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis s.l." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 4(3): e632.

      12. Omolo, M. O., A. Hassanali, S. Mpiana, J. Esterhuizen, J. Lindh, M. J. Lehane, P. Solano, J.-B. Rayaisse, G. A. Vale, S. J. Torr and I. Tirados (2009). "Prospects for developing odour baits to control Glossina fuscipes spp., the major vector of human African trypanosomiasis." PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3(5): e435.

      13. Tirados, I., C. Costantini, G. Gibson and S. J. Torr (2006). "Blood-feeding behaviour of the malarial mosquito Anopheles arabiensis: implications for vector control." Medical and Veterinary Entomology 20(4): 425-437.

      14. Cheke, R. A., I. Tirados, J. Mas, J. M. M. Adjaru, J. L. A. Bouaha, A. Sima, R. R. F. Meyer and M. D. Wilson (2006). "Onchocerciasis transmission by the Bioko form of Simulium yahense Vajime & Bunbar 1975 (Diptera: Simuliidae) " Studia dipterologica Supplement 14: 26-30.