On August 20, the Ian Potter Auditorium at the University of Melbourne was buzzing with energy as researchers, public health experts, students, and community members gathered to mark World Mosquito Day. This annual day of recognition commemorates Sir Ronald Ross’s 1897 discovery that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria parasites, a breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern mosquito-borne disease research and prevention.

This year’s event brought together an exciting mix of keynote talks, rapid-fire research presentations, panel discussions, and community engagement activities, showcasing the breadth of work being done to reduce the global burden of mosquito-borne diseases.

 

Inspiring Keynote Speakers

The day began with two compelling keynote talks:

• A/Prof Katie Anders (Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine) shared insights from her decade of work with the World Mosquito Program, focusing on how Wolbachia bacteria are being used to reduce the transmission of dengue and other Aedes-borne viruses. Her talk, “Wolbachia for reducing the burden of Aedes-transmitted viruses”, highlighted the success of field trials and the future potential of Wolbachia-based control strategies in global public health.
• Mark Sullivan (Founder, Medicines Development for Global Health) delivered the second keynote, “Lymphatic Filariasis and the Role of Moxidectin”. Mark reflected on his career achievements, including leading the first not-for-profit company to gain FDA approval for a novel medicine, and the ongoing impact of moxidectin in the fight against neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis.

 

Lightning Talks and Expert Panel

A series of three-minute lightning talks followed, giving researchers the chance to showcase innovative mosquito-related projects in a lively, fast-paced format.

• Ashleigh Heng-Chin – Novel anti-Anopheles salivary antibody biomarkers for malaria serosurveillance in the Asia-Pacific
• Dr Stacey Lynch – Mosquitoes provide a transmission route between possums and human for Buruli ulcer in Southeastern Australia
• Sarah Farrell – Feeding antimalarials to Anopheles Stephensi mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium blocks parasite transmission
• Elena Lantero-Escolar – Dual inhibition Plasmepsins IX and X in Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites inhibits development within Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes
• Veronique Paris – Autodissemination stations to suppress Aedes notoscriptus in urban Victoria
• Dr Andrew Buutjens – Mosquito control prevents Buruli Ulcer: Results from a randomised trial in urban Southeastern Australia

 

The audience then heard from an engaging expert panel featuring:

• A/Prof Paul Gilson (Burnet Institute) – sharing advances in understanding malaria parasite invasion and survival in human red blood cells.
• Dr Stacey Lynch (CSIRO/University of Melbourne) – presenting her work on mosquito surveillance and pathogen genomics within a One Health framework.
• Dr Kathryn Edenborough (University of Melbourne/Doherty Institute) – discussing viral pathogenesis, evolution, and One Health approaches to arbovirus surveillance.
• Dr Perran Ross (University of Melbourne) – highlighting his research on Wolbachia and the discovery of a heat-resistant strain with global implications for dengue control.

The panel emphasised the importance of collaboration across disciplines, from molecular biology to ecology, to develop sustainable solutions to mosquito-borne disease challenges.

 

 

Networking, Trivia, and Posters

Participants enjoyed lunch with generous support from sponsors Bug Grr Off, Chem Supply Australia, and Bio-Rad, followed by updates on exciting new student projects at the Burnet Institute.

The afternoon was lightened with a mosquito-themed trivia session, where attendees tested their knowledge of mosquito biology and fun facts. Congratulations to winners Prof. Stuart Ralph and Pailene Lam!

The day closed with a poster session featuring 15 presenters, providing a platform for students and early-career researchers to share their work, exchange ideas, and spark future collaborations.

• Michael Muleme – Understanding risk and prevention behaviours among Victorian Dengue cases: Informing targeted public health response
• Khoi Nguyen – Repurposing human drugs as novel antimalarial against Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite
• Katrina Ibay – Evaluating cell: Cell antiviral protection by Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti cells
• Tilini de Silva – MicroRNAs in Mosquito-Borne Diseases: A New Frontier in Diagnostics
• Jhobert Bernal – Exposure to dengue in a malarious area in the Philippines
• Jessie Kingston – Quantifying the burden of low-density Plasmodium vivax infections across different transmission settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis
• Ellen Kearney – Antibodies to mosquito salivary proteins following controlled mosquito biting exposure
• Michaela Grima – The role of extracellular vesicles in malaria pathogenesis
• Michelle Katusele – Spatial repellent emanators provide significant potential to reduce outdoor malaria transmission in Papua New Guinea
• Robson Kriiger Loterio – Complete inactivation of orthoflavi- and alphaviruses by acetone for safe tittering by ELISA
• Xuexin Xia – Exploring the regulation of sex ratios in Plasmodium berghei
• Rachael Yong – Evolution and spread of Artemisinin and Diagnostic Resistance (AMRED) malaria parasites in Africa
• Jessica Canning – Investigating malaria-specific B cells within human germinal centres
• Agustiningsih – Investigating primary and recall humoral immune responses in malaria and the impact of type I interferon blockade

 

Why World Mosquito Day Matters

Mosquitoes are often called the “world’s deadliest animals,” responsible for transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Each year, hundreds of millions of people are affected, with significant impacts on global health, economies, and development.

World Mosquito Day not only honours scientific milestones of the past but also reminds us of the critical ongoing efforts to control mosquito-borne diseases. Events like this highlight how Australian researchers and institutions are playing a leading role in developing innovative tools – from vaccines and medicines to genetic and ecological control strategies.

This year’s event at Melbourne University was a celebration of science, community, and hope – showcasing the dedication of those working to make mosquito-borne diseases a thing of the past.