
I’ah Donovan-Banfield BSc, MRes
I’ah currently works on vector genomics, focussing on the Aedes aegypti mosquito, at Monash University, Australia. A. aegypti is an important vector for the transmission viral diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Her project uses computational biology techniques to elucidate more cost-effective methods for the whole genome sequencing of A. aegypti. This will provide a more detailed analysis of native mosquito populations and how they respond to deployment of the Wolbachia method of disease transmission control. Wolbachia are common insect-infecting bacteria that, when introduced to A. aegypti mosquitos, reduce virus replication, therefore reducing the potential for virus transmission when female mosquitos bite humans. I’ah also works on multi-omic analyses of the host response to Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection with my alma mater, University of Bristol, UK.