University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich is a public university located in London and Kent, United Kingdom. Formerly known as Thames Polytechnic, in 1992 the school was granted university status and renamed the University of Greenwich in 1993. On 1 January 1993, the Thames College of Health Care Studies officially merged with the newly designated University of Greenwich, becoming a full faculty of the university.

Since then, the university has developed a diverse and rich portfolio of research in health, including neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). As of August 2021, researchers at the school are engaged in research across onchocerciasis, leishmania, Yersinia pestis, leptospirosis, rickettsia, arenavirus, hantavirus, various gastro-enteric bacteria, helminths, mosquito-borne parasites and arboviruses.

University of Greenwich NTD projects include:

  • Future rodent management for pig and poultry health (RodentGate) – 2020-2024

  • Developing effective rodent control strategies to reduce disease risk in ecologically and culturally diverse rural landscapes, MRC GCRF – 2021-2024

  • Decoding the Flight Mechanics and Acoustics of Mating Communication in Mosquitoes, Human Frontier Science Program – 2019-2021

  • Effect of aging on Leishmania infection: Ex vivo analysis of Leishmania infection of human blood DTA 2020-23.

Furthermore, the school has a range of specialist knowledge in Leishmania parasites, as well as vector behaviour and chemical ecology which could be useful to other groups. It hosts unique facilities for research on NTD vectors, specifically looking at vector behaviour, sensory physiology and chemical ecology. These include climate-controlled insectaries, a state-of-the-art 3D insect tracking arena with wind tunnel, sound-proof room with 3D tracking for acoustic behavioural assays, 2D high throughput videographic system, a range of electrophysiology techniques and chemistry laboratories.

For more information contact G [dot] T [dot] M [dot] Getti [at] greenwich [dot] ac [dot] uk (Giulia Getti).