Passionate about tackling mosquito-borne and parasitic diseases, Dr. Jewelna Akorli’s research focuses on vector biology, genomics, and the interactions between mosquitoes, parasites, and their environment. As a Ghanaian Entomologist and molecular Geneticist at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), she uses innovative molecular and genomic approaches to better understand disease transmission and support the development of effective strategies for vector control and disease prevention.
Dr. Akorli’s work contributes to advancing scientific knowledge that informs public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of infectious diseases. She is also dedicated to mentoring young scientists and building research collaborations that drive innovation and strengthen biomedical research in Ghana and beyond.
Dr. Jewelna Akorli, Entomologist and Molecular Geneticist, Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana.
Through this interview, Dr. Akorli shares her perspective on vector biology, the challenges posed by climate change, and the critical role of global collaboration in tackling mosquito-borne diseases.
Priscilla Kissi: Every scientific journey begins with curiosity. What inspired you to focus on mosquito microbiota interactions and vector biology?
Dr. Akorli: As a young undergraduate from the University of Ghana, I came to Noguchi for my national service. At the Parasitology Department, I joined groups working on lymphatic filariasis. Since mosquitoes are the vectors of the disease, we often travelled to villages in the Gomoa district where the disease recorded high endemicity, to collect mosquitoes. That was my first real fieldwork experience, and when I came to the realization that lymphatic filariasis was transmitted by the same Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria. I kept asking myself, why only Anopheles was causing us ‘double trouble’ while there were many other mosquito species that were not known to do same? In my naïve mind, I wondered if other species like Aedes or Culex were less harmful, and what made Anopheles different. Those questions led me to think about genetic modifications and other ideas that seemed like fantasy at the time. Eventually, I used that curiosity as the foundation for my PhD. During that period, my supervisor introduced me to the emerging field of insect microbiota a new area with potential to develop biocontrol tools for disease transmission blocking. That’s how my interest in the mosquito microbiome began.
Priscilla Kissi: Was there a defining moment in your career that made you realize this research could transform disease control?
Dr. Akorli: Honestly, it started with me asking wild questions that sounded crazy. I just needed someone to help define them, and my supervisor did exactly that. Since then, I’ve carried that curiosity with me. Not many researchers are in this field, and while community-based work is growing, basic mechanistic science remains important. From literature, we know bacteria in mosquitoes can influence parasite development. That motivates me to find out which microbes are involved and how they do it because once we understand the mechanism, we can design ways to block transmission.
Priscilla Kissi: Vector biology can sound complex. How would you explain your work in simple terms to someone without a science background?
Dr. Akorli: A mentor once said that, if you can’t explain your work to your grandmother, then you don’t really understand it. So, here’s how I’d put it; mosquitoes bite us because they need a blood meal. Unlike bees, they don’t give us honey, but they are part of a larger ecosystem. They aren’t meant to transmit disease; parasites have simply hijacked them as vehicles. My work is about helping mosquitoes help us. If we can stop parasites from growing inside mosquitoes, then when they bite us, all we’ll get is an itch, not malaria or filariasis. In simple terms, my interest in vector biology is about building a wall, blocking parasites from mosquitoes, or blocking mosquitoes from us. The challenge is that mosquitoes are clever, and they keep finding ways around our defenses. So, my research is about finding some of the natural defenses the mosquito has against the parasites they transmit, strengthening that wall and stopping the spread of disease.
Dr. Akorli speaking to students during a ‘Science in Tents’ event, explaining how parasites hijack mosquitoes and how science can block them to stop the spread.
Priscilla Kissi: Mosquitoes host entire microbial communities. How do these microbes influence disease transmission?
Dr. Akorli: That’s exactly what I’m investigating. Studies have shown that mosquitoes, like humans, depend on their microbes for survival. Beneficial microbes help them digest blood, reproduce, and even choose mates. But when it comes to parasites, we’ve only recently realized microbes also influence whether mosquitoes can sustain parasite development. The big question is: which microbes are involved, and how do they do it? Once we uncover the mechanisms, we can harness microbial products to block transmission. It’s still early days, but the potential is huge.
Priscilla Kissi: How can changes in mosquito microbiomes help block diseases like malaria, dengue, or Zika?
Dr. Akorli: In my group—what I call the ‘Mozibiome Group’ we’re studying two main approaches. For decades, the idea has been: find the right microbes, isolate them, and introduce them into the environment. Mosquito larvae pick them up in water, and the microbes then live inside the adult mosquito. The hope is that these microbes can interfere with parasite development, essentially turning mosquitoes into poor hosts for malaria, dengue, or Zika. If we succeed, mosquitoes will still bite but they won’t be able to pass on the disease. There is also the approach of using what these bacteria produce, finding an environmental-friendly strategy to get the mosquitoes to express more of these products which will then halt parasite
development.
Priscilla Kissi: Mosquitoes host entire microbial communities. How do these microbes influence disease transmission?
Dr. Akorli: That’s exactly what I’m investigating. Studies have shown that mosquitoes, like humans, depend on their microbes for survival. Beneficial microbes help them digest blood, reproduce, and even choose mates. But when it comes to parasites, we’ve only recently realized microbes also influence whether mosquitoes can sustain parasite development. The big question is: which microbes are involved, and how do they do it? Once we uncover the mechanisms, we can harness microbial products to block transmission. It’s still early days, but the potential is huge.
Priscilla Kissi: How can changes in mosquito microbiomes help block diseases like malaria, dengue, or Zika?
Dr. Akorli: In my group—what I call the ‘Mozibiome Group’ we’re studying two main approaches. For decades, the idea has been: find the right microbes, isolate them, and introduce them into the environment. Mosquito larvae pick them up in water, and the microbes then live inside the adult mosquito. The hope is that these microbes can interfere with parasite development, essentially turning mosquitoes into poor hosts for malaria, dengue, or Zika. If we succeed, mosquitoes will still bite but they won’t be able to pass on the disease. There is also the approach of using what these bacteria produce, finding an environmental-friendly strategy to get the mosquitoes to express more of these products which will then halt parasite
development.
A photo of Dr. Akorli’s Mozibiome Lab Group with their award as Best Research Group 2024, Department of Parasitology NMIMR.
Priscilla Kissi: What are the key challenges in controlling mosquito-borne diseases in Ghana, and how can they be addressed?
Dr. Akorli: The challenge is largely environmental. Ghana, like much of the tropics, provides a very conducive setting for mosquitoes to thrive; warm temperatures, rainfall, and stagnant water. Our gutters are often choked, road construction sites collect water, and these become perfect breeding grounds. It’s not always intentional, but the result is an environment that favour mosquito breeding. So, controlling mosquito-borne diseases requires tackling pollution, improving waste management, sanitation, and keeping our surroundings clean. Without that, mosquitoes will always thrive.
Dr. Akorli engaging students at St. Albans International School during a malaria outreach, sharing practical steps to help stop the spread of malaria.
Priscilla Kissi: How does your research on mosquito microbiomes relate to real-life health issues, like persistent infections or treatment failure?
Dr. Akorli: That’s a tough but important question. The microbes I study are isolated from mosquitoes here in Ghana, which gives me an advantage over groups outside Africa. I’m working with real-life situations. For example, in the lab, we’ve found microbes that can disrupt Plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria. But then I ask if these microbes exist in mosquitoes in the field, why do we still have malaria? Why haven’t they eliminated the parasite naturally? We don’t yet know the ecological answers. That’s what I’m studying now, looking at how these microbes differ between areas with high malaria transmission and areas with lower transmission. For instance, I’m comparing sites in northern Ghana, which are highly endemic, with sites that have lower endemicity. Understanding those differences could explain why malaria persists despite the presence of potentially protective microbes.
The Mozibiome Group comparing microbes in high and low malaria transmission areas to uncover why the disease endures.
Priscilla Kissi: How can collaborations between Ghanaian and international researchers advance vector biology and microbial science?
Dr. Akorli: Collaboration is key. We live in a global world, and climate change is shifting disease dynamics. Colder regions are becoming warmer, with more rainfall, and mosquitoes like Aedes are spreading widely. They’re robust, adaptable, and can even survive in something as simple as filter paper until exposed to water. International collaboration helps both sides. Researchers abroad want to understand how we manage vector-borne diseases here, and they provide tools and technology that strengthen our work. At the same time, they realize these diseases could spread to regions outside Africa. We’re not in isolation, and I can’t emphasize enough how critical collaboration is.
An image of some collaborators advancing science together.
Priscilla Kissi: What areas of mosquito or microbiome research in Ghana need more attention in the next decade?
Dr. Akorli: Vector biology isn’t just about microbes. Yes, the microbiome influences mosquito biology, but there are other pressing issues:
- Insecticide resistance—we need to ensure chemicals used to control mosquitoes remain effective.
- Shifting breeding grounds—mosquitoes are adapting to new environments. For example, Accra was once thought to be free of Anopheles and malaria, but now there are reports of urban malaria.
- Beyond bacteria—we must also study fungi and insect-specific viruses. These viruses don’t infect humans but may influence parasite transmission. This area is understudied in Ghana, especially in Anopheles. A holistic view is needed, because it’s not just bacteria at work; other micro-organisms may play roles too.
Priscilla Kissi: What advice would you give to young scientists interested in vector biology and public health?
Dr. Akorli: For a long time, vector biology was seen as boring. Few young scientists wanted to study entomology because they thought it was just about counting insects. But it’s much more than that. We live in a world where infectious diseases are a growing issue, especially in Africa. Dengue cases in neighbouring Burkina Faso are concerning, and Ghana is not immune. So, I’d advise young scientists not to shy away from entomology. It’s an exciting field where you can go into molecular entomology, genomics, and study how insects adapt to changing environments. Vector biology is essential. While immunologists focus on parasites in humans, we must also study the organisms that transmit them. It’s an integrated effort. By understanding mosquitoes better, we can provide answers that complement vaccines and treatments.
Priscilla Kissi: That’s such an important reminder. Vector biology isn’t just about insects, it’s about protecting communities and shaping the future of public health. Thank you, Dr. Akorli, for sharing your journey and for encouraging young scientists to see the bigger picture.
Dr. Akorli: Thank you. I’ve truly enjoyed sharing my story.