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Evolution and coevolution of invasive Anopheles stephensi and sympatric Plasmodium populations in Africa: A genomic investigation

Award Number: R56AI192658
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/17/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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Evolution and coevolution of invasive Anopheles stephensi and sympatric Plasmodium populations in Africa: A genomic investigation - ABSTRACT Anopheles stephensi, a mosquito capable of spreading malaria, is a major threat to the progress of malaria control. It is a native vector in South Asia and portions of the Middle East but was reported in Djibouti in 2013 and is now well established throughout East Africa. This invasive vector is a threat to malaria control because it has the capacity thrive in both urban and rural areas. In addition, insecticide resistance has been reported across several portions of the invasive range. Most recently, An. stephensi has been the cause of malaria outbreaks in historically low transmission regions. There are critical knowledge gaps related to An. stephensi adaptation to the environment that facilitated its spread and establishment, and the genomic features that facilitate the compatibility with local Plasmodium falciparum strains. The goal of the proposed study is to identify the genomic bases of adaptation in invasive An. stephensi in Africa and An. stephensi’s susceptibility to local African P. falciparum strains. In addition, we will use these data to develop surveillance tools to better predict An. stephensi’s impact on malaria epidemiology. This project will continue our long-standing collaborations with academic and public health institutions in the US, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Ultimately, growing our understanding of the genomic diversity of An. stephensi will provide the bases for enhanced molecular surveillance and understanding of risk for future malaria outbreaks across the invasion range. Our specific aims are: 1) Evaluate the evolution and spread of An. stephensi over the course of the invasion to identify environmental adaptations, 2) We will identify An. stephensi genomic features associated with P. falciparum infection. 3) Develop tools to improve the reporting of epidemiologically relevant genomic markers in An. stephensi. Overall, this multiregional and interdisciplinary collaborative effort will fill gaps related to invasive An. stephensi adaptation in East Africa. Our results will provide the scientific bases for approaches to control of this invasive mosquito and ultimately the prevention of malaria.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $695,801 )
2025	2025	BAYLOR UNIVERSITY	700 S UNIVERSITY PARKS DR	WACO	TX	76706	MCLENNAN	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/17/2025	NEW	$695,801
														Subtotal = $695,801

Grand Total All Awards = $695,801

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Evolution and coevolution of invasive Anopheles stephensi and sympatric Plasmodium populations in Africa: A genomic investigation

Award Number: R56AI192658

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/17/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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