Call for applications to Malaria Consortium’s Dr Sylvia Meek scholarship for Entomology in South Africa. The scholarship for Entomology has been set up in the memory of Dr Sylvia Meek, Malaria Consortium’s Global Technical Director who led inspiring and pioneering work in the fight against infectious diseases, and malaria in particular, before her untimely passing away in 2016.

Both Malaria Consortium and University of Pretoria are committed to ensure Sylvia’s vision is continued by the future generation of entomologists in Africa. Sylvia was not only a great scientist but someone with great compassion who was an inspiration to her associates and colleagues. The scholarship is established in Sylvia’s honour by Malaria Consortium, will empower a new generation of public health entomologists and malaria staff in Africa and Asia. Given the limited number of field-oriented vector biologists, and the challenges African countries face in achieving malaria elimination, this scholarship is a great opportunity to support the next generation of public health entomologists in support of this quest.

Financial Aspects

The Dr Sylvia Meek Scholarship for Entomology will cover all tuition fees, a research allowance to the total value of ZAR60 000 (ZAR30 000/year), ZAR 78 000/year for upkeep costs such as accommodation and board, an allowance for travel to South Africa (if non-national) and return home after completion of the programme, and health insurance for the duration of the MSc programme, i.e. a maximum of two calendar years, by which time the students should finish their degree.

Available projects

The following projects in public health entomology are available for the current call:

• Malaria entomology and insecticide resistance in a high disease burden region of South Africa
• Seasonal variation in mosquito community structure and associations with larval habitats at hotels in a region of South Africa with residual malaria transmission.
• Improved forecasting of mosquitoes associated with arbovirus transmission in South Africa.

Eligibility

• Nationals from the following countries can apply: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Applicants need to have successfully completed an Honours degree or equivalent in Entomology or a related discipline.
• Applicants should have good knowledge of English (the language of instruction).
• Alsop, applicants should demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, entomology and the control of vector-borne diseases.
• Furthermore, applicants should be no older than 35 at the time of submission.