Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Global Health
Prof. Laurentine Sumo
Professor Laurentine Sumo is an Associate Professor of Parasitology at the University of Ebolowa, Cameroon. She earned her PhD in Parasitology and Ecology from the University of Yaoundé I, in 2012. Trained as a parasitologist, she has also received specialised training in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, with a particular focus on vector-borne parasitic diseases. Her research centres on the epidemiology, transmission dynamics and control of tropical parasitic diseases, particularly schistosomiasis, malaria, filarial infections (including onchocerciasis, loiasis and lymphatic filariasis), and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). Recognising the frequent co-endemicity of these diseases, her work seeks to update their epidemiological profiles through disease mapping, identification of risk factors, investigation of transmission dynamics, and the development of improved diagnostic approaches. She is especially committed to understanding the factors driving the persistence of these neglected tropical diseases and to designing innovative, evidence-based strategies to support their elimination.
Professor Sumo has made significant contributions to demonstrating the continued transmission of onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases in endemic areas, identifying transmission hotspots and elucidating the epidemiological factors responsible for their persistence. Her work is firmly rooted in applied and operational research, providing scientific evidence to strengthen national disease control and elimination programmes and to support progress towards the World Health Organization’s roadmap for neglected tropical diseases.
Vector Biology and Public Health, and currently supervises five PhD candidates. She has authored or co-authored two book chapters and over 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications. She is an active member of several international and national scientific organisations, including the Cameroon Society of Epidemiology (CaSE), CaPROWN, OWSD, WINs, the International Epidemiological Association (IEA), and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). She also serves as a Global Assessor for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), Academic Editor for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Topic Coordinator for Frontiers in Tropical Diseases.
Background
Infectious diseases remain one of the most pressing challenges to global health, with a disproportionate burden carried by populations in low- and middle-income countries where health systems continue to face complex constraints, including high disease burden, limited resources, environmental vulnerabilities, and unequal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Although remarkable advances have been achieved in diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and public health interventions, infectious diseases continue to evolve, driven by the emergence of new pathogens, the resurgence of existing threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate and environmental changes, and shifting patterns of disease transmission.
The Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Global Health (INDEPTH) Research Group was established to respond to these evolving global health challenges through innovative, interdisciplinary, and evidence-driven research. The group is dedicated to generating high-quality scientific knowledge and translating research findings into practical solutions that strengthen infectious disease prevention, control, and health system resilience. By combining epidemiological, ecological, technological, and implementation research approaches, INDEPTH seeks to improve understanding of disease dynamics, support effective public health decision-making, and contribute to sustainable interventions that enhance population health and advance health equity in Africa and globally.
Research Goals
The overarching goal of the INDEPTH Research Group is to become a leading centre of excellence in infectious diseases and global health research in Africa and beyond, generating transformative evidence and innovative solutions that improve health outcomes and advance health equity. INDEPTH Research Group aims to strengthen understanding of infectious disease challenges, develop and evaluate context-specific interventions, and support decision-makers with reliable scientific evidence to guide public health policies and programmes. Through multidisciplinary research, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and capacity strengthening, INDEPTH seeks to contribute to resilient health systems capable of preventing, detecting, and responding effectively to infectious disease threats. A core priority of the Research Group is to nurture the next generation of researchers, public health practitioners, and global health leaders by providing opportunities for mentorship, training, collaboration, and scientific development. Through sustained innovation and partnership, INDEPTH is committed to advancing a future where evidence-based interventions, stronger health systems, and empowered communities contribute to healthier and more equitable societies.
Our research is driven by a commitment to addressing complex infectious disease challenges through interdisciplinary research, innovation, and evidence-based action. We integrate epidemiology, ecology, implementation science, One Health approaches, digital health, and policy research to generate actionable knowledge that supports sustainable public health solutions in Africa and beyond. To achieve this mission, INDEPTH’s research agenda is organized around four complementary and interconnected Research Axes that address key drivers of infectious disease emergence, transmission, prevention, and control.
Research Axis #1 - Arthropod ecology, vector-borne diseases & emerging transmission systems
This Research Axis investigates the ecology, distribution, and transmission dynamics of arthropod vectors responsible for major infectious diseases affecting human and animal populations. Particular emphasis is placed on mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, and other vectors involved in diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, and other emerging vector-borne infections. By combining field epidemiology, vector surveillance, molecular ecology, climate-sensitive modelling, and digital monitoring approaches, this axis seeks to understand how environmental changes, climate variability, and socioecological factors influence vector populations and disease transmission. Research activities include community-based vector surveillance, climate-driven prediction of vector distribution, insecticide resistance monitoring, and innovative digital solutions for early detection and response to vector-borne disease threats.
Research Axis #2 - Parasite ecology, host interactions & environmental transmission dynamics
This Research Axis explores the complex relationships between parasites, hosts, and environmental systems, with a focus on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and environmentally mediated parasitic infections. Research aims to better understand how ecological conditions, human behaviour, and environmental factors influence parasite persistence, transmission patterns, and disease recurrence in endemic communities. Key areas of investigation include the role of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), biodiversity, ecosystem changes, and environmental exposures in sustaining diseases such as schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and Buruli ulcer. Through integrated research approaches, the axis develops evidence to support sustainable disease control, including NTD–WASH interventions, ecological risk mapping, community-based prevention strategies, and implementation research to reduce transmission and reinfection.
Research Axis #3 - One Health, zoonotic threats & pathogen dynamics at the human - animal - environment interface
Recognizing that many infectious disease threats emerge from complex interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems, this Research Axis adopts a One Health framework to investigate pathogen circulation and disease emergence across interconnected biological and environmental systems. Research focuses on understanding how factors such as land-use change, climate variability, urbanization, biodiversity loss, and human-animal interactions contribute to zoonotic disease emergence and transmission. By bringing together expertise from public health, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, and ecology, this axis strengthens preparedness and response to emerging infectious threats. Priority activities include zoonotic disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, pathogen spillover risk assessment, environmental surveillance, and community-based approaches for early warning, prevention, and outbreak preparedness in high-risk settings.
Research Axis #4 - Global health equity, health systems strengthening & evidence-informed policy
This Research Axis addresses the social, structural, and health system factors that influence infectious disease vulnerability, healthcare access, and population health outcomes. Research focuses on how policies, governance systems, digital innovations, community engagement, and social determinants shape the effectiveness and equity of disease prevention and control strategies. Through implementation science and health systems research, this axis evaluates innovative approaches to strengthen surveillance systems, improve access to quality healthcare, empower communities, and enhance health system resilience. Current and future initiatives include digital disease surveillance platforms, evaluation of community-led interventions, health workforce capacity strengthening, and policy-oriented research to support evidence-informed decision-making. Through this Research Axis, INDEPTH aims to translate scientific evidence into practical strategies that advance health equity, strengthen public health systems, and improve infectious disease outcomes at local, national, and global levels.
Prof. Laurentine Sumo
Prof. Christophe Antonio Nkondjio
Senior Research Scientist at the Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon. His research expertise spans medical entomology, vector bionomics, arbovirus surveillance, malaria epidemiology, vector control, insecticide resistance, and the ecology of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and tsetse flies.
Dr. Bridget Aito Bobadoye
Senior Research Scientist in Entomology at the University of Georgia, USA. Her research focuses on advancing the understanding of insect biology, ecology, and vector-related processes within the field of entomology.
Prof. Laurentine Sumo
Group Leader
sumo@trendfoundation.org
Mrs. Jeanne C. Sondi Dissake
Deputy Group Leader
sondidissake@trendfoundation.org