Dr Michael Coleman
- Reader, Vector Biology
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Biography
Dr Michael Coleman began his career at Cardiff University, where he earned a BSc Hons in Genetics and completed a PhD focused on insecticide resistance mechanisms in mosquito vectors. His postdoctoral research was in novel therapies of cancer at the National Institute of Medical Research, before joining Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 2002, where his focus moved towards research for vector borne disease control. From 2005 to 2010 he was seconded to the Medical Research Council Malaria Lead Programme in South Africa. Since then, he has established an independent research group focused on operational and implementation research for vector borne diseases working in collaboration with ministries of health and NGOs in Africa and Asia.
Michael sits on the Research Committee, Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Student Support Committee, and Research Governance and Ethics Office (Research Integrity).
Research interests
Michael’s research group focuses on vector-borne disease control with studies in the field sites in multiple countries for different disease. Research has included understanding the vectors and their insecticide resistance profiles to better utilise vector control tools and integrated vector control for improved sustainability of the disease prevention. Research is directed towards collecting the evidence that allows for the development of informative decision making, strategies and policy towards protecting the world’s most vulnerable people from these diseases.
The team has also led development of new tools to support the monitoring and evaluation of control programmes and has implemented the largest entomological surveillance programmes. These data sets are then modelled collaboration with partners to determine the impact of interventions on disease control.
Teaching
Currently Michael’s focus is on how to best develop and deliver disease control programmes and how to impact on this in a positive way. He convenes a module on this and supports the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Selected research publications
The BiteBarrier transfluthrin emanator demonstrates significant protection against susceptible and resistant malaria and arbovirus vectors in semi-field trials in Tanzania – Journal: PLoS ONE – Published: 30th September 2025
Novel Microwave Sensor for Quality Assurance of Indoor Residual Spraying – Journal: IEEE Sensors Journal – Published: 28th August 2025
Evaluation of a digital entomological surveillance planning tool for malaria vector control: Three country mixed methods pilot study – Journal: PLoS ONE – Published: 10th March 2025
Effect of indoor residual spraying on sandfly abundance and incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in India, 2016-22: an interrupted time-series analysis and modelling study. – Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases – Published: 9th August 2024
Molecular surveillance of insecticide resistance in Phlebotomus argentipes targeted by indoor residual spraying for visceral leishmaniasis elimination in India – Journal: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases – Published: 8th November 2023
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