Dr Calmes Ursain Bouaka Tsakeng

Biography

From 2016-2018 Calmes Bouaka completed a Bachelor and master’s degree in Biological Sciences with a focus on Clinical Biochemistry. He was then selected as a PhD student within the Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control project where he studied the genetic diversity of tsetse fly microbiome and its implication in new strategies to control trypanosomiases. Calmes also collaborated with the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases for the implementation of a small-scale tsetse fly control operation with deltamethrin impregnated “Tiny Targets”. He joined Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) as a Post Doctoral Research Associate in 2024 after obtaining a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Yaounde 1. With a background in medical entomology, disease ecology, genetics, and molecular parasitology, Calmes is interested in tropical diseases, especially trypanosomiases, malaria and leishmaniasis, aiming to advance research to inform disease control strategies. In 2024 he was awarded competitive research funding from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to support investigation into leishmaniasis transmission dynamics in Cameroon.

Research interests

Calmes is part of the tsetse group at LSTM working under the TrypElim project. This project aims to eliminate Human African Trypanosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC), with LSTM serving as the technical partner supporting vector control. He is actively developing small-scale vector control strategies against tsetse flies to be implemented in challenging and remote areas. This work involves developing research protocols and providing technical support to the National Human African Trypanosomiasis Control Programme within the Ministry of Public Health of the DRC. Within his Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene grant, Calmes is aiming to contribute to the WHO’s 2030 goal of eliminating neglected tropical diseases by investigating leishmaniasis transmission dynamics and mapping in Cameroon. This research will provide critical knowledge (vector diversity, vector population genetics, vector feeding behaviour, leishmania species and disease hotspot mapping) to inform stakeholders and control programs, enabling the design of effective and sustainable control measures to protect vulnerable communities.

Teaching

Calmes teaches tsetse biology, ecology and control within the Biology of Tropical Health, Pathogens and Vectors of Disease module for MSc, MRes, MPH and DTM&H programme.

Selected research publications

Evidence of microbiome contribution to the escalation of pyrethroid resistance in the major malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles funestus s.s – Journal: BMC Microbiology – Published: 2nd July 2025

Anopheles gambiae larvae’s ability to grow and emerge in water containing lethal concentrations of clothianidin, acetamiprid, or imidacloprid is consistent with cross-resistance to neonicotinoids – Journal: Parasites and Vectors – Published: 1st December 2024

Field-evolved resistance to neonicotinoids in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, is associated with mutations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits combined with cytochrome P450-mediated detoxification – Journal: Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology – Published: 9th November 2024

Patterns of microbiome composition in tsetse fly Glossina palpalis palpalis during vector control using Tiny Targets in Campo, South Cameroon – Journal: Microbiology spectrum – Published: 19th September 2024

Impact of a small-scale tsetse fly control operation with deltamethrin impregnated “Tiny Targets” on tsetse density and trypanosomes’ circulation in the Campo sleeping sickness focus of South Cameroon – Journal: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases – Published: 27th November 2023

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