Assessing the role of avian reservoirs in emerging mosquito-borne disease risks

Overview

Mosquito-borne disease risk is shifting in temperate regions due to climate and land use changes as well as invasive species. This PhD aims to establish knowledge of the role of avian ecology and bird compositional change in mosquito-borne disease risk, while establishing regional molecular pipelines and risk models under environmental change.

Mosquito-borne disease risk is shifting in temperate regions due to climate and land use changes as well as invasive species. At present, many of the most significant mosquito-borne disease threats require bridge vectoring of pathogens between birds and humans by mosquitoes, including Usutu, West Nile, and Sinbis viruses. In the last decade, both Usutu and West Nile viruses have been detected for the first time in Great Britain, with Usutu virus expanding northward into Scotland (Ionescu et al., 2026). Usutu virus, in particular, has been linked to significant declines in blackbird populations (Hamner et al., 2026), but other common birds may be epidemiologically-important hosts (Münger et al., 2025).

The emerging mosquito-borne disease risk in Ireland and the UK is exacerbated by spatiotemporal data gaps. Assessments of zoonotic risks are highly uneven, with a complete absence of data around mosquito-borne pathogens on the island of Ireland, despite the presence of known vectors (Zintl et al., 2026). Northern Ireland is particularly overlooked in this context, despite having unique migratory bird populations, highly human-modified environments, and distinct trade routes that may exacerbate regional risks.

Within the context of the new BBSRC-funded “MosquitoNI” project, this PhD aims to establish knowledge of the role of avian ecology and bird compositional change in mosquito-borne disease risk, while establishing regional molecular pipelines and risk models under environmental change. The project’s objectives will specifically:

• Review links among bird composition, environmental change, and vector-borne disease risk;

• Assess bridge vector mosquito biting preferences along land use gradients, relative to resident native and non-native bird communities;

• Develop molecular tools to examine the presence of vector-borne diseases in bird and mosquito populations;

• Model future climate change effects on vector-borne disease risks, considering both vectors and hosts.

The project blends ecology, virology, and modelling, with transdisciplinary supervision that spans bird conservation charities and academia. Full training will be provided in these approaches as needed.

References:

Hanmer, H.J., Bruce, R.C., Jenkins, A.J., Santos, M., Seilern-Macpherson, K., Haddow, S., Jones, E., John, S.K., Ionescu, A.M., Gardner, B.L. and Abbott, A.J., 2026. Repeated and widespread introduction of a mosquito-borne virus, but wildlife impact remains localised in urban area. bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.03.703450

Ionescu, A.M., Jones, B., Bruce, R.C., Mccraken, F., Johnson, N., Clough, C., Robinson, C., Stevenson, H., Howie, F., Kirby, G. and Lee, M., 2026. First Usutu virus detections in wild birds in Scotland, 2025. bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.11.731606

Münger, E., Atama, N.C., van Irsel, J., Blom, R., Krol, L., van Mastrigt, T., van den Berg, T.J., Braks, M., de Vries, A., van der Linden, A. and Chestakova, I., 2025. One Health approach uncovers emergence and dynamics of Usutu and West Nile viruses in the Netherlands. Nature Communications, 16: 7883.

Zintl, A., Hetherington, R.M., Murphy, A., Isiye, E., Olmeda, A.V., Lloyd, C., Munita, M., Mooney, L. and O’Meara, D., 2026. Review of mosquitoes in Ireland and of relevant mosquito-borne pathogens. Irish Veterinary Journal, 79: 16.

Supervisors: Dr Ross Cuthbert, Dr Connor Bamford, Dr Paul Caplat.

Funding Information

Funding is subject to approval by the Department for the Economy (DfE).

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY CANDIDATES WHO QUALIFY FOR FEES AT THE HOME RATE ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY (please see: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/fee-status/)

Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

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English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

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