Research profile

Dr Tanya Russell is an experienced vector biologist specializing in managing large scale field studies focusing on the underlying dynamics, control and surveillance of vector borne diseases. She has over 14 years of research experience in Africa and the South-West Pacific managing entomological and epidemiological field trials. Dr Russell has excellent leadership, staff management, strategic planning, communications skills and has the capacity to deliver translational research outcomes. Her extensive research focused on the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticidal nets for malaria control has provided essential information to support the continued use of this tool, despite concerns about recent increases in malaria transmission rates. Her publications have directly influence policy development and malaria program reviews in the Solomon Islands. Dr Russell has an extensive network of national and international research collaborators. Her field based research is always embedded with appropriate community support. The end-users are vector control management programs and higher level policy development. Dr Russell has 50+ publications, reviews for various international journals, acts as an Associate Editor for Parasites & Vectors and supervises higher degree research students.

Find out more about our research group here: https://www.aithm.jcu.edu.au/research/research-projects-and-groups/mosquito-borne-diseases-group/

Postgraduate opportunities

Potential Honours, MSc and PhD candidates are welcomed to join us. For possible scholarships and other funding opportunities (internal and external), see JCU’s scholarships database. Please note that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic we cannot accept applications from international students who are not already residing within Australia.

Postgraduate (PhD and MSc)

Students interested in undertaking a PhD or Masters project should contact Tanya to discuss potential projects. Funding can be applied for through the Research Training Program (RTP), the James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarships, or an equivalent national or international scheme. Information and application forms can be obtained from the Graduate Research School. Closing Dates: 30th September of each year.

Honours

Students who have completed their BSc or equivalent and are interested in a Honours are encouraged to contact Tanya for potential projects. Honours studies can start in either February or August.

Interests

Research

• The underlying broad-scale ecological process influencing malaria and dengue transmission
• Support evidence-based control of malaria and dengue vectors
• To improve vector surveillance systems in malaria endemic countries

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)
• Ecology (0602)

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, MacLaren D, Russell T and Burkot T (2020) Protecting the peri-domestic environment: the challenge for eliminating residual malaria. Scientific Reports, 10, Article: 7018, DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-63994-6.
• Wu S, Sánchez H, Henry J, Citron D, Zhang Q, Compton K, Liang B, Verma A, Cummings D, Le Menach A, Scott T, Wilson A, Lindsay S, Moyes C, Hancock P, Russell T, Burkot T, Marshall J, Kiware S, Reiner R and Smith D (2020) Vector bionomics and vectorial capacity as emergent properties of mosquito behaviors and ecology. PLoS Computational Biology, 16 (4), Article: e1007446, DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007446.
• Burkot T, Farlow R, Min M, Espino E, Mnzava A and Russell T (2019) A global analysis of National Malaria Control Programme vector surveillance by elimination and control status in 2018. Malaria Journal, 18, Article: 399, DOI:10.1186/s12936-019-3041-2.
• McLaughlin K, Burkot T, Oscar J, Beebe N and Russell T (2019) Defining the larval habitat: abiotic and biotic parameters associated with Anopheles farauti productivity. Malaria Journal, 18, Article: 416, DOI:10.1186/s12936-019-3049-7.
• McLaughlin K, Russell T, Apairamo A, Bugoro H, Oscar J, Cooper R, Beebe N, Ritchie S and Burkot T (2019) Smallest Anopheles farauti occur during the peak transmission season in the Solomon Islands. Malaria Journal, 18, Article: 208, DOI:10.1186/s12936-019-2847-2.
• Pollard E, Russell T, Apairamo A and Burkot T (2019) Unique fine scale village spatial-temporal distributions of Anopheles farauti differ by physiological state and sex. Parasites & Vectors, 12, Article: 558, DOI:10.1186/s13071-019-3815-y.
• Pollard E, Patterson C, Russell T, Apairamo A, Oscar J, Arcà B, Drakeley C and Burkot T (2019) Human exposure to Anopheles farauti bites in the Solomon Islands is not associated with IgG antibody response to the gSG6 salivary protein of Anopheles gambiae. Malaria Journal, 18, Article: 334, DOI:10.1186/s12936-019-2975-8.
• 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, Article: 31, pp. 1-9, DOI:10.1186/s13071-019-3291-4.
• 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, Article: 606, DOI:10.1186/s13071-018-3201-1.
• 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, Article: 381, DOI:10.1186/s12936-018-2521-0.
• 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, Article: 230, pp. 1-8, DOI:10.1186/s12936-017-1881-1.
• 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, Article: 128, pp. 1-12, DOI:10.1186/s12936-016-1185-x.

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 57+ 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

• Larval density and adult fitness in Anopheles farauti: Towards understanding how larval control may impact transmission by adults (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Ecological Investigations and Control of Mosquito Disease Vectors (Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus) in the Torres Strait (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Defining the risk to Humans of Emerging Zoonotic Malaria in Indonesia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• When worlds collide: where and when anophelines and humans interact (2020, 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. (2019) Dataset for: A global analysis of national malaria control programme vector surveillance by elimination and control status in 2018. James Cook University
• Russell, T. (2019) Dataset for: Defining the larval habitat: abiotic, biological and chemical parameters associated with Anopheles farauti productivity . James Cook University
• McLaughlin, K. (2019) Dataset describing the longitudinal density and wing length of anophelines in Solomon Islands. James Cook University
• 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.