Wilson Tavares
GHTM Group: VBD non PhD members, Vector-borne diseases
I am a PhD student studying molecular epidemiology in the Department of Medical Parasitology at The Portuguese Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), in collaboration with the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) at The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), in the United States, since October 2020.
I first enrolled in a bachelor’s program in Biomedical Sciences and conducted my Bachelor’s thesis in the hematology field, at Coventry University, with graduation in 2014. Then, I pursued a Master’s degree in Biomedical Blood Sciences, in the field of neurosciences, at Keele University, which I completed in December of 2015.
My research project focuses on using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and bioinformatics to study transmission dynamics and population genetics of Plasmodium falciparum. The aim of this project is to develop a better understanding regarding the characterization and transmission dynamics of parasite populations in Angola.
About me
Both my parents are originally from Angola and São Tomé e Príncipe. I was born and raised in Portugal and have lived in the UK and Angola. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, travelling and listen to podcasts which promotes financial literacy and personal growth.
I am currently studying the demography of Plasmodium falciparum, the major causative agent of human malaria in Angola, a country located in south-central Africa. My research project focuses on generating P. falciparum whole-genome sequences (WGS) to characterize parasite genetic diversity, population structure and migration within Angola and neighboring countries. This knowledge of parasite demography can help guide and prioritize public health interventions of the Angola’s National Malaria Control Program.