Welcome to the Parasitology Unit at the Centre for Infectious Diseases

World Mosquito Day commemorates a discovery made by the British doctor Sir Ronald Ross in 1897, who discovered that female mosquitoes can transmit malaria between humans. Shortly after his discovery, Ross himself determined that 20 August should be celebrated as World Mosquito Day in future. Each year, it presents us with an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers posed by mosquito-borne diseases and the ongoing efforts to combat the world’s deadliest creature.

Victoria Ingham's research group was present with an information stand in Heidelberg's pedestrian zone (Anatomiegarten, near house number 53) on Saturday, August 23, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone who wanted to learn more about malaria was welcome to stop by our booth. There were exciting insights, such as viewing real blood smears under a microscope and for the little ones a craft activity and an interactive quiz that taught knowledge in a playful way.

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to our group leader, Franziska Hentzschel, on receiving this year’s Otto Schmeil Prize! The Schmeil Foundation established the prize in 2016 to support early-career researchers in biological and medical research. It is awarded every two years by the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and is endowed with 15,000 euros. The prize is awarded to a young researcher who already possesses the necessary qualifications for outstanding scientific work. The proposed work must have been published or submitted for publication within the preceding two years.

World Malaria Day, is celebrated annually on 25 April. This year it is marked under the slogan “Driven to end malaria: Now we can. Now we must.”

Background: Now more than ever, the world has the science, tools in the pipeline (drugs/vaccines), and partnerships to reimagine how to tackle malaria - NOW and not whenever.