Building an India-Africa Network to Support Research and Control of Urban Malaria Transmission - An unprecedented threat to malaria elimination is the spread of the invasive urban vector Anopheles stephensi across Africa, increasing the risk of global transmission. Notably, parts of the United States are environmentally suitable for An. stephensi establishment, urban malaria transmission elsewhere increases the risk of importation to the U.S., and this system also poses a threat to U.S. military abroad (Iran, Afghanistan, etc.) heightening the importance of proactive surveillance and preparedness. Addressing this threat aligns with the NIH mission to protect and improve human health by advancing scientific leadership, innovation, and U.S. health preparedness. We propose a strategically coordinated, U.S.-led, multi-national research and training program that leverages complementary expertise while ensuring strong stewardship of U.S. investment and adherence to research security standards. The program integrates knowledge of An. stephensi epidemiology and control from its native range (India partners) with cutting-edge geospatial modeling, data science, and ecological forecasting led by U.S. institutions, alongside specialized molecular genetics approaches (U.K. partner). Our objectives are to: Aim 1: Expand scientific leadership and technical expertise for independent research in urban malaria epidemiology, enhancing capabilities relevant to U.S. preparedness for invasive vector-borne diseases. Aim 2: Strengthen career development of early-stage scientists through mentored research training in surveillance, modeling, and response strategies applicable to both global and U.S. contexts. Aim 3: Establish sustainable, locally anchored research and surveillance systems in Africa, coordinated with national malaria control programs, to generate high-quality data that inform global early warning systems and U.S. risk assessment. Post-doctoral and junior faculty trainees will be based at African institutions, ensuring access to real-world transmission settings. Foundational training in An. stephensi ecology and epidemiology will occur in India, where domain expertise is well established. Advanced training in molecular genetics, data science, and predictive modeling will be led by U.S. institutions through workshops and structured research exchanges, reinforcing U.S. leadership in innovation. Over five years, the program will train 10 post-doctoral researchers, 6 junior faculty, and more than 100 health professionals. This effort will build a globally connected workforce capable of detecting, modeling, and mitigating invasive vector threats before they reach U.S. borders. Although mosquito-borne diseases remain limited in the United States, recent experiences with West Nile virus and localized outbreaks of dengue and malaria highlight growing vulnerability. By investing in research and training where transmission is active, this program directly supports U.S. national interests—enhancing early detection, strengthening predictive capacity, and maintaining U.S. leadership in global health security and infectious disease preparedness.
