Dr Tanya Russell is formally trained in both ecology and public health, and her research aims to enrich the field of medical entomology by bridging the gap between these two disciplines. Her research has advanced our understanding about the manner in which mosquito populations interact with vector control tools world-wide. Her publications are focused on supporting vector control operations by understanding the population ecology of mosquito vectors as well as the effectiveness of current and novel interventions under realistic field conditions. Dr Russell couples the field research with modelling support through involvement in the Vector Ecology and Control Network (VECNet).

Outcomes from Dr Russell's research in both Africa and the Pacific demonstrate that long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) alone are insufficient to eliminate malaria. This is due to mosquitoes being able to circumvent control measures by feeding on humans outdoors or early in the evenings when they aren’t protected by traditional control tools. Dr Russell's research has also demonstrated that malaria transmission is spatially heterogeneous and that complementary vector control tools could be most effectively targeted to households on the periphery of villages. Dr Russell works closely with Vector Borne Disease Control Programs to provide the technical support required for both policy change and the implementation of effective malaria control programs.

Interests

Research

• The underlying broad-scale ecological process influencing malaria transmission
• Understanding the ecology and behaviour of disease transmitting mosquitoes
• Creating a digital library to support the analytical modelling of malaria transmission

Experience

• 2011 to present - Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University (Cairns and Solomon Islands)
• 2010 to 2011 - Senior Research Fellow, University of Queensland (Vanuatu and Solomon Islands)
• 2009 - Research Fellow, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania)
• 2007 to 2008 - Research Fellow, University of Durham (Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania)
• 2003 to 2006 - PhD Research Student, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (Brisbane)

Research Disciplines

• Public Health and Health Services (1117)
• Medical Microbiology (1108)
• Zoology (0608)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Public Health (9204)
• Clinical Health (9201)
• Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species (9604)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Pollard E, Russell T and Burkot T (2019) Maximising mosquito collections from barrier screens: the impacts of physical design and operation parameters. Parasites & Vectors, 12. pp. 1-9
• Burkot T, Bugoro H, Apairamo A, Cooper R, Echeverry D, Odabasi D, Beebe N, Makuru V, Xiao H, Davidson J, Deason N, Reuben H, Kazura J, Collins F, Lobo N and Russell T (2018) Spatial-temporal heterogeneity in malaria receptivity is best estimated by vector biting rates in areas nearing elimination. Parasites and Vectors, 11.
• Jeanne I, Chambers L, Kazazic A, Russell T, Bobogare A, Bugoro H, Otto F, Fafale G and Amjadali A (2018) Mapping a plasmodium transmission spatial suitability index in Solomon Islands: a malaria monitoring and control tool. Malaria Journal, 17.
• Echeverry D, Deason N, Makuru V, Davidson J, Xiao H, Niedbalski J, Yu X, Stevenson J, Bugoro H, Aparaimo A, Reuben H, Cooper R, Burkot T, Russell T, Collins F and Lobo N (2017) Fast and robust single PCR for Plasmodium sporozoite detection in mosquitoes using the cytochrome oxidase I gene. Malaria Journal, 16. pp. 1-8
• Echeverry D, Deason N, Davidson J, Makuru V, Xiao H, Niedbalski J, Kern M, Russell T, Burkot T, Collins F and Lobo N (2016) Human malaria diagnosis using a single-step direct-PCR based on the Plasmodium cytochrome oxidase III gene. Malaria Journal, 15. pp. 1-12
• Kiware S, Russell T, Mtema Z, Malishee A, Chaki P, Lwetoijera D, Chanda J, Chinula D, Majambere S, Gimnig J, Smith T and Killeen G (2016) A generic schema and data collection forms applicable to diverse entomological studies of mosquitoes. Source Code for Biology and Medicine, 11. pp. 1-11
• Russell T, Burkot T, Bugoro H, Apairamo A, Beebe N, Chow W, Cooper R, Collins F and Lobo N (2016) Larval habitats of the Anopheles farauti and Anopheles lungae complexes in the Solomon Islands. Malaria Journal, 15. pp. 1-9
• Russell T, Beebe N, Bugoro H, Apairamo A, Chow W, Cooper R, Collins F, Lobo N and Burkot T (2016) Frequent blood feeding enables insecticide-treated nets to reduce transmission by mosquitoes that bite predominately outdoors. Malaria Journal, 15. pp. 1-9
• Russell T, Beebe N, Bugoro H, Apairamo A, Cooper R, Collins F, Lobo N and Burkot T (2016) Determinants of host feeding success by Anopheles farauti. Malaria Journal, 15. pp. 1-9
• Russell T, Beebe N, Bugoro H, Apairamo A, Collins F, Cooper R, Lobo N and Burkot T (2016) Anopheles farauti is a homogeneous population that blood feeds early and outdoors in the Solomon Islands. Malaria Journal, 15. pp. 1-7
• Beebe N, Russell T, Burkot T and Cooper R (2015) Anopheles punctulatus group: evolution, distribution, and control. Annual Review of Entomology, 60. pp. 335-350
• Conn J, Norris D, Donnelly M, Beebe N, Burkot T, Coulibaly M, Chery L, Eapen A, Keven J, Kilama M, Kumar A, Lindsay S, Moreno M, Quinones M, Reimer L, Russell T, Smith D, Thomas M, Walker E, Wilson M and Yan G (2015) Entomological monitoring and evaluation: diverse transmission settings of ICEMR projects will require local and regional malaria elimination strategies. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 93 (Suppl 3). pp. 28-41

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 50+ research outputs authored by Dr Tanya Russell from 2008 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• When World's Collide: Where and When Anophelines and Humans Interact Impacts Malaria Transmission (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Larval density and adult fitness in Anopheles farauti: Towards understanding how larval control may impact transmission by adults (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

• Russell, T. (2018) Dataset of entomological indicators for all Anopheles species caught in Western Province, Solomon Islands . James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2016) Dataset describing the biting profile, seasonality and feeding cycle of Anopheles farauti in Haleta village, Solomon Islands. James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2016) Dataset examining host feeding parameters of Anopheles farauti in Haleta village, Solomon Islands. James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2016) Dataset for mark-release-recapture experiments detailing the place and time of feeding by Anopheles farauti in Haleta village, Solomon Islands. James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2016) Data archive: Larval habitats of the Anopheles farauti and Anopheles lungae complexes in the Solomon Islands. James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2012) Changes in vector species composition and current vector biology and behaviour will favour malaria elimination in Santa Isabel Province, Solomon Islands. James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.