Professor Joanne Webster
Department: Pathobiology and Population Sciences
Research Groups: Pathogen Flow in Ecosystems, Antimicrobial Resistance
Professor Joanne P. Webster FMedSci is Professor of Parasitic Diseases at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and Heads their Pathogen Flow in Ecosystems strategic grouping.
Joanne is also Director of the London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR) and Professor of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine.
After gaining a double First-class BSc hons, Joanne’s Doctoral research at the University of Oxford focused on the epidemiology of zoonotic disease within the UK, including initiating novel work on the impact of Toxoplasma gondii on host behaviour and its association with chronic disease across both humans and animals. After a year working as a Clinical Scientist at the NHS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), specialising in congenital syphilis amongst babies born in the UK, Joanne returned to the University of Oxford as a postdoctoral Fellow, EPA Cephalosporin Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and as a Royal Society University Research Fellow (URF). During this period, Joanne expanded the scope of her work to encompass global health and tropical field research and disease control across much of Africa and Asia. Joanne accepted a Readership at Imperial College’s Faculty of Medicine in 2003 and was promoted to a tenured Professorial Chair in Infectious Diseases in 2006. The key motivation for this move was the unique opportunity to be co-Director of the then newly formed Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI). During this period (2003-2014), these activities provided approximately 300 million anthelminthic preventative chemotherapeutic treatments for children and at-risk adults across sub-Saharan Africa, and were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize and Medal for International Public Health Impact. SCI was also listed as the top UK charity by ‘Giving what we can’ and in the top two International charities by ‘Give Well’. In 2013, Joanne became Associate Director of the then newly formed London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), a joint initiative between Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, University of London (RVC), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and the Natural History Museum (NHM), to undertake evidence-based research around the design, implementation and evaluation of NTD control and elimination programmes. In October 2014, Joanne joined the RVC as their Chair in Parasitic Diseases (whilst retaining her Chair (as Hon) in Infectious Diseases at Imperial) to further expand her One Health research and disease control activities encompassing both human and animal tropical medicine. Joanne serves as Director of the RVC’s Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED) and Head’s their Pathogen Flow in Ecosystems strategic grouping.
Joanne is on the Board of Directors of Fauna and Flora International (FFI), an Expert Advisor on a number of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Guideline Development Group (GDG) and Working Groups (WG). Joanne is also on the Management Board of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) and Research working group of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA). Joanne sits a number of funding Review Board committees and expert panel groups, including for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Wellcome Trust. Joanne is also on the Editorial Board of a number of high impact primary journals including Trends in Parasitology, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, B., Evolutionary Applications, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Frontiers in Tropical Medicine
Joanne’s research and disease control activities have been awarded a number of high-profile Prizes, Medals and Recognitions (e.g. CA Wright Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Parasitology (2005); National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animals in research NC3Rs prize (2007); Queen’s Anniversary Medal for International Public Health Impact (2008); Royal Society of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/Elsevier citation prize (2009); Chalmers Memorial Medal to recognise Outstanding Contribution to Tropical Medicine (2013) from The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Finalist (top three) BBSRC Innovator of the Year for International Impact (2018); named in an International Woman’s Day List of ‘Five Inspirational Women Shaping the Future of International Development’ (2019); elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) (2019), an ‘Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for unwavering excellence in their chosen fields’ (2021), and was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) - an award for medical scientists who are judged by the Academy of Medical Sciences for the “excellence of their science, their contribution to medicine and society and the range of their achievements’’ (2022).
Professor Joanne P. Webster's publications and associated citation metrics are available through Google Scholar
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H-index = 66; i10-index 163 Citations >14,450
SELECTED PRIMARY JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS (from >200 with >13,500 citations)
(IF = journal impact factor):
1) Lo, N., Bezerra, F.S.M., Colley, D.G., et al., (2022) Review of 2022 World Health Organization Guideline on the control and elimination of schistosomiasis. Lancet Infectious Diseases doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(2022)00221-3 IF 25.071
2) Berger, D.J., Leger, E., Sankaranarayanan, G., Sene, M., Diouf, N.D. , Rabone, M., Emery, A., Allan, F., Cotton, J.A., Berriman, M. & Webster, J.P. (2022). Genomic evidence of contemporary hybridization between Schistosoma species. PLoS Pathogens. IF 6.823
3) Platt, R.N., Chevalier, F.D., McDew-White, M., LoVerde, P., et al., (2022). Genomic analysis of a parasite invasions: colonization of the Americas by the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Molecular Ecology, 31: 2242-2263. IF 6.275
4) Le Clec’h, W., Chevalier, F.D., Strickland, A., et al., (2021) Genetic analysis of praziquantel resistance in schistosome parasites implicates a Transient Receptor Potential channel. Science Translational Medicine (Science AAAS). 13 (625) 12+ pp IF 17.999
*with front cover
5) Borlase, A., Rudge, J.W., Leger, E., Diouf, N.D., Fall, C-B., Diop, S.D., Catalano, S., Sene, M. & Webster, J.P. (2021). Spillover, hybridization and persistence in schistosome transmission dynamics at the human-animal interface. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. (PNAS - Direct submission). Oct 12th, 118 (41) e2110711118 IF 11.205
* with Press releases
6) Berger, D., Crellen, T., Lamberton, P.H.L., Allan, F., Tracey, A., Noonan, J., Kabatereine, N.B., Tukakebwe, E.M., Adriko, M., Holroyd, N., Webster, J.P.*, , Berriman, M*., & Cotton, J.A.* (2021). Impact of mass drug administration on the genomic diversity of Schistosoma mansoni populations. Nature Communications. 12 (1), 1-14, 4776 doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24958-0 *joint senior and corresponding author. IF 14.919
* Nature Editors’ Highlights Featured article – “Microbiology and Infectious Diseases article of particular interest or importance’
**with Press releases
7) Diaz, A., Walker, M. & Webster, J.P. (2021). Surveillance and Control of SARS-CoV-2 in mustelids: an evolutionary perspective. Evolutionary Applications. 1-11 IF 5.183
*Eclipse featured article
8) Mawa, P. A., Kinkaid-Smith, J., Tukahebwa, E.M., Webster, J.P. & S. Wilson. (2021) Schistosomiasis morbidity hotspots: roles of the human host, the parasite and their interface in the development of severe morbidity. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 751, 635869 IF 7.561
9) Leger, E., Borlase, A., Fall, C-B., Diouf, N.D., Diop, S.D., Yasanev, L., Catalano, S., Thiam, C.T., Ndiaye, A., Emory, A., Morrell, A., Rabone, M., Ndao, M., Faye, B., Rollinson, D, Rudge, J.W., Sene, M. & Webster, J.P. (2020) Prevalence and distribution of schistosomiasis in human, livestock and snail populations in northern Senegal: a One Health epidemiological study of a multi-host system. Lancet Planetary Health. 4 (8), E330-342. IF 19.173
* awarded the McKeever Prize for scientific quality and potential impact on animal health.
** with Front Cover
***with Press releases
10) Deol, A., French, M.D., & Webster, J.P. (2020) Schistosomiasis and the Global Goals. New England Journal of Medicine. 382 (16): 1576 IF 74.69
11) Catalano, S. Leger, E., Fall, C-B., Borlase, A., Diop, S.D., Berger, D., Webster, B.L., Faye, B., Diouf, N.D., Rollinson, D., Sene, M., Ba, K. & Webster, J.P. (2020). Multi-host transmission of Schistosoma mansoni in Senegal. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 26 (6), 1234. IF 7.42
12) Milne, G., Webster, J.P. Walker, M. (2020). Towards improving interventions against toxoplasmosis by identifying routes of transmission using sporozoite-specific serological tools. Clinical Infectious Diseases. CID-96125R1 IF 9.117
13) Milne, G., Webster, J.P. Walker, M. (2020). Toxoplasma gondii – an underestimated threat. Trends in Parasitology (Cell Press group). 2043, 11 IF 8.02
*with Press release
14) Easton, A., Gao, S., Lawton, S.P., et al., (2020) Extensive hybridization between pig and human Ascaris identifies a highly interbred species complex infecting humans E-life. 10.7554/eLife.61562 IF 8.140
** with Front Cover
15) Deol, A., Fleming, F., Calvo-Urbano, B., Walker, M., Bucumi, V., Gnandou, I., Tukahebwa, E.M., Jemu, S., Mwingira, U.J., Alkohlani, A., Traore, M., SCI, Basáñez, M-G., French, M.D., & Webster, J.P. Schistosomiasis – assessing progress towards the 2020 and 2025 goals (2019) New England Journal of Medicine 381 (26) 2519-2528. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1812165 (Major Research Article). IF 74.69
** with Press releases
16). Platt, R.N., McDew-White, M., Le Clec’h, et al., (2019). Ancient hybridization and introgression of an invadolysin gene in schistosome parasites. Molecular Biology and Evolution msz154, IF 14.80
17) Wood, C.L., Sokolow, S., Jones, I., et al.,G. (2019) Precision mapping of snail habitat provides a powerful indicator of human schistosomiasis transmission. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS direct submission). 116 (46): 23182-23191 IF 11.205
**with Press release
18) Mutombo, P.N., Man, N.W.Y., Nejsum, P., Ricketson, R., Gordon, C.A., Robertson, G., Clements, A.C., Chacón-Fonseca, N., Nissapatorn, V., Webster, J.P & McLaws, M. L (2019) Diagnosis and drug resistance of human soil-transmitted helminth infections: a public health perspective. Advances in Parasitology. 104:247-326. IF 7.829
19) Chevalier, F.D., Le Clec’h, W., McDew-White, M., et al., (2019) Oxamniquine resistance alleles are widespread in Old World Schistosoma mansoni and predate drug deployment. PLoS Pathogens. 15 (10): e1007881. IF 6.67
20) Neves, M.I., Webster, J.P. & Walker, M. (2019). Estimating helminth burdens using sibship reconstruction. Parasites and Vectors 12:441
* F1000 PRIME RECOMMENDED
21) Lu, D-B, Yao, D., Ding, H., Liang, Y-S., & Webster, J.P. (2018) Single-sex schistosome infections of definitive hosts: implications and applications for schistosome transmission and control in a changing world. PLoS Pathogens. 14 (3): e1006817. IF 8.06
22) Catalano, S., Sene, M., Diouf, N.D., Fall, C.B., Borlase, A., Leger, E, Ba, K., & Webster, J.P. (2018). Rodents as natural hosts of zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids: an epidemiological and evolutionary perspective from West Africa. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 218 (3) 429-433. IF 6.273
*Editors choice and with accompanying editorial:
** and recorded a within highest downloaded The Journal of Infectious Diseases articles from the past two years
*** and adapted into English and French TeenScience journal versions with highest recorded 2019 downloads and media coverage.
23) Viana, M., Faust, C.L., Haydon, D., Webster, J.P.* & Lamberton, P.H.L.*. (2018). The effects of sub-curative doses of praziquantel on life-history traits and trade-offs in drug-resistant Schistosoma mansoni. Evolutionary Applications. 11 (4), 488-500. DOI: 10.1111/eva.12558 *Joint senior author IF 5.038
24) Borlase, A.M., Webster, J.P.* & Rudge, J.W.* (2018). Opportunities and challenges for modelling evolving multi-host, multi-parasite transmission dynamics: zoonotic hybrid schistosomiasis in West Africa. Evolutionary Applications, 11 (4), 501-515. *Joint senior author IF 5.038
25) Webster, J.P., Borlase, A.M. & Rudge, J.W. (2017). Who acquires infection from whom and how? - disentangling multi-host and multi-mode transmission dynamics in the ‘elimination’ era. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London Series B (Biological Sciences). 372 (1719) IF 7.06
26) Antonovics, J., Wilson, A.J., Forbes, M.R., Hauffe, H.C., Kallio, E.R., Leggett, H.C., Longdon, B., Okamura, B., Sait, S. & Webster, J.P. (2017). The evolution of transmission mode. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London Series B (Biological Sciences). 372 (1719) IF 7.06
27) Crellen, T., Walker, M., Lamberton, P.H.L., Kabetereine, N.B., Tukahebwa, E.J., Cotton, J.A. & Webster, J.P. (2016). Reduced efficacy of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni associated with multiple-rounds of mass drug administration. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 63 (9), 1151-1159. IF 9.117
28) Léger, E. Garba, A., Hamidou, A.A., Webster, B.L., Pennance, T., Rollinson, D. & Webster, J.P. (2016). Introgressed animal schistosomes Schistosoma curassoni and S. bovis naturally infecting humans. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 22 (12) 2212-2214 IF 8.22
29) Crellen, T., Allan, F.E., David, S., Durrant, C., Huckvale, T., Holroyd, N., Emery, A., Rollinson, D., Aanensen, D.M., Berriman, M., Webster, J.P. & Cotton, J.A. (2016). Whole genome resequencing of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni reveals population history and effects of selection. Scientific Reports (Nature group). 6: 20954 DOI: 10.1038/srep20954 Joint senior author. IF 5.578
- with Press releases
30) Webster, J.P., Gower, C.M., Knowles, S., Molyneux, D.M. & Fenton, A. (2016). One Health – an Ecological and Evolutionary Framework for tackling Neglected Zoonotic Diseases. Evolutionary Applications. 9 (2), 313-333. IF 5.67
31) King, K.C.*, Stelkens, R.B.*, Webster, J.P.*, Smith, D.F. & Brockhurst, M.A. (2015). Hybridization in parasites: consequences for adaptive evolution, pathogenesis and public health in a changing world. PLoS Pathogens. 11(9): e1005098, 1-12. Joint first author IF 8.06
32) Lamberton, P.H.L., Crellen, T., Cotton, J.A. & Webster, J.P. (2015). Modelling the effects of mass drug administration on the molecular epidemiology of schistosomes. Advances in Parasitology. 87, 293–327. IF 6.226
33) Webster, J.P., Molyneux, D. & Hotez, P.J. & Fenwick, A. (2014). The contribution of mass drug administration to global health – past, present and future. Invited (JPW): Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London Series B (Biological Sciences). 369 (1645) 20130434. IF 7.06
34) Rudge, J.W., Webster, J.P., Lu, D-B., Wang, T-P., Fang, G-R., Basanez, M-G. (2013). Identifying host species driving transmission of schistosomiasis japonica, a multi-host parasite system, in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. (PNAS - Direct submission). 110. 11457-11462. PMC3710859 IF 9.809
35) Prandovszky, E., Gaskell, E., Dubey, J. P., Webster, J. P. & McConkey, G.A. (2011). The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism. PLoS ONE. 6(9): e23866. Joint Senior Author
- Altmetrics N=338 places this ‘in the top 5% of all articles published ranked by attention’; and in the 99th percentile compared to articles of the same age.
36) Webster, J.P., Olivera, G., Rollinson, D. & Gower, C.M. (2010). Schistosome genomes: a wealth of information. Trends in Parasitology. 26 (3), 103-106. IF 8.02
37) Campbell, G., Noble, L.R., Rollinson, D., Southgate, V.R., Webster, J.P. and Jones, C.S. (2010). Low genetic diversity in a snail intermediate host (Biomphalaria pfeifferi Krass, 1848) and schistosomiasis transmission in the Senegal River Basin. Molecular Ecology. 19: 241-256. IF 6.275
38) Rudge, J.W., Lu, D-B, Feng, G-W, Wang, T-P, Basáñez, M-G & Webster, J.P. (2009). Parasite genetic differentiation by habitat type and host species: molecular epidemiology of Schistosoma japonicum in hilly and marshland areas of Anhui Province, China. Molecular Ecology. 18:2134-2147. IF 6.275
39) Webster, J.P. (2009). Natural history of Host-Parasite Interactions. Advances in Parasitology, 68. xiii-xviii. IF 6.226
40) Touré, S., Zhang, Y., Bosque-Oliva, E., Ky, C., Ouedraogo, A., Koukounari, A., Gabrielli, A.F., Sellin, B., Webster, J.P.* & Fenwick, A.* (2008) Two-year impact of single praziquantel treatment in the national control programme on schistosomiasis by preventive chemotherapy in Burkina Faso. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 86, 780-787. Joint senior author. IF 5.250
*With accompanying Editorial.
41) Webster, J.P., Gower, C.M. & Norton, A.J. (2008). Application of evolutionary concepts to predicting and evaluating the impact of mass-chemotherapy schistosomiasis control programmes. Invited for Inaugural Edition of: Evolutionary Applications. 1, 66-83. IF 5.67
42) Webster, J.P. (2007). The impact of Toxoplasma gondii on animal behaviour: playing cat and mouse. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 33(3):752-756. IF 8.60
43) Gower, C.M., Shrivastava, J., Lamberton, P.H.L, Rollinson, D., Emory, A., Webster, B.L., Kabatereine, N.B. & Webster, J.P. (2007). Development and application of an ethical and epidemiologically appropriate assay for the multi-locus microsatellite analysis of Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitology 134, 4, 523-536.
* Awarded first prize NC3Rs to recognise a piece of published work over the preceding two years that advances, or has the potential to advance, the 3Rs.
44) Koukounari, A., Gabrielli, A. F., Touré, S., Bosque-Oliva, E., Zhang, Y., Donnelly, C. A., Fenwick, A. & Webster, J. P. (2007) Schistosoma haematobium infection and morbidity before and after large-scale administration of praziquantel in Burkina Faso. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 196, (5), 659-669. IF 6.344
*With accompanying Editorial.
46) Kabatereine, N.B., Brooker, S., Koukounari, A., Kazibwe, F., Tukahebwa, E., Fleming, F. Zhang, Y., Webster, J.P., Stothard, J.R. & Fenwick, A. (2007). Impact on infection and morbidity of a national helminth control programme in Ugandan schoolchildren. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 85 (2) 91-99. IF 5.250
47) Zhang, Y., Koukounari, A., Kabatereine, N., Fleming, F., Kazibwe, F., Tukahebwa, E., Stothard, J.R., Webster, J.P. & Fenwick, A. (2007). Parasitological impact of two-year preventive chemotherapy on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Uganda. BMC Medicine. 5: 27 (3 Sept 2007). IF 6.679
48) Golan, R., Gower, C.M., Emory, A.M., Rollinson, D. & Webster, J.P. (2007). Isolation and characterization of the first polymorphic microsatellite markers for Schistosoma haematobium and their application in multiplex reactions of larval stages. Molecular Ecology Resources. 8: 647-649. IF 7.432
49) Webster, J.P., Lamberton, P.H.L., Donnelly, C.A., Torrey, F. (2006). Parasites as causative agents of human affective disorders?: The impact of anti-psychotic and anti-protozoan medication on T. gondii’s ability to alter host behaviour. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 273, 1023–1030. IF 6.230
50) Mathews, F., Macdonald, D.W., Taylor, M., Gelling, M., Norman, R., Honess, P., Foster, R, Gower, C.M., Varley, S., Harris, A., Palmer, S., Hewinson, G., & Webster, J.P. (2006). Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) in British farmland wildlife: importance to agriculture of species other than badgers. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 273 (1584), 357-365. IF 6.230
52) Kabatereine, N.B., Tukahebwa, E., Kazibwe, F., Naringwe, H., Brooker, S., Stothard, J.R., Kamenka, C., Wahwell, S., Webster, J.P., Fenwick, A. (2006). Progress towards countrywide control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Uganda. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 100 (3), 208-215.
* Awarded prize from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene/Elsevier as ‘Top 10 cited paper of 2006-2008’
53) Shrivastava, J., Qian, B.Z., McVean, G. & Webster, J.P. (2005). An insight into the genetic variability of Schistosoma japonicum in mainland China using DNA microsatellite markers. Molecular Ecology, 14, (3), 839-849. IF 6.275
54) Webster, J.P., Hoffman, J. & Berdoy, M.E.L. (2003). Parasite resistance and mate choice – battle of the genders in a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 270, 1481-1485. IF 6.230
55) Shrivastava, J., Barker, G., Johansen, M.V., Xiaonong, Z., & Webster, J.P. (2003) Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic DNA microsatellite markers from Schistosoma japonicum. Molecular Ecology Notes. 3, 406-408. Now renamed Molecular Ecology Resources. IF 7.432
56) DeJong, R., Morgan, A.T., Wilson, W.D., et al., (2003). Phylogeography of Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria pfeifferri, important intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni from the New and Old World Tropics. Molecular Ecology, 12, 3041-3056. IF 6.275
57) Woolhouse, M.E.J., Webster, J.P., Domingo, E., Charlesworth, B. & Levin, B.R. (2002) Biological and biomedical implications of the coevolution of pathogens and their hosts. Nature Genetics. 32 (4), 569-577. IF 35.209
58) Davies, C.M., Webster, J.P. & Woolhouse, M.E.J. (2001). Trade-offs in the evolution of virulence in an indirectly-transmitted macroparasite. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 268, 251-257. IF 6.230
59) Blair, L., Webster, J.P. & Barker, G.C. (2001). Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Schistosoma mansoni from Africa. Molecular Ecology Notes. 1, 93-95. Renamed Molecular Ecology Resources. IF 7.432
60) Berdoy, M., Webster, J.P. & Macdonald, D.W. (2000) Fatal attraction in Toxoplasma-infected rats: a case of parasite manipulation of its mammalian host. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), Series B. 267, 1591-1594 IF 6.230
* Altmetrics N=653 places this ‘in the top 5% of all articles published ranked by attention’, ‘one of the highest Altmetrics score ever for this journal (ranked #4)’ and in the ‘99th percentile compared to articles of the same age’.
61) Woolhouse, M.E.J & Webster, J.P. (2000). ‘In Search of the Red Queen'. Parasitology Today. 16 (12), 506-508. IF 5.513
62) Webster, J.P. & Woolhouse, M.E.J. (1999). Cost of Resistance: relationship between reduced fertility and increased resistance in a Schistosoma host-parasite system. Proceedings of the Royal Society, (London), Series B. 266, 391-396. IF 6.230
63) Hurtig, A.K, Nicoll, A., Carne, C., Webster, J.P., & Ratcliff, L. (1998). Syphilis in pregnant women and their children in the United Kingdom 1994-1997. British Medical Journal. 317, (7173), 1617-1619. IF 30.223
Professor Joanne P. Webster lectures, tutors, examines and supervises students on a broad range of undergraduate (e.g. BVetMed, BVetSci, BSc/MScii WAB, WAH) and postgraduate (e.g. MSc One Health, WAB, WAH) courses within the RVC. Her students consistently win prizes for their work under her supervision/co-supervision at national and international conferences, and she was recently Nominated and Shortlisted for the Student Academic Choice Award (SACA) for ‘Excellence in doctoral research supervision’. She is happy to be contacted by potential future students.
Current and past research students supervised include:
- Ph.D/ D.Phil. – Primary or sole Supervisor
Isobel Gabain. Elucidating the impact of infectious diseases on maternal health and childhood stunting.Adriana Diaz Alvrado. Evaluating the potential for evolution and establishment of anthelminthic drug resistance within zoonotic schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa.
Adriana Diaz Alvrado. Predicting the Emergence and Transmission of Antimacrobial/Antihelmithic (praziquantel-) resistance amongst humans and domestic livestock in Africa.
Anna Borlase: Modelling the transmission dynamics of novel zoonotic hybrid schistosomes in Africa.* awarded the McKeever PhD Prize for scientific quality and potential impact on animal health and/or welfare.
Stefano Catalano: The interplay of wildlife, livestock and humans in African zoonotic-schistosomiasis transmission dynamics * First of the ZELS AS cohort to complete & awarded Walter and Dorothy Plowright prize.
Thomas Crellen: Population genomics of Schistosoma mansoni.
Maya Kaushik: The effect of parasites on host behaviour: epidemiology, evolution and mechanism of action.
Anouk Gouvras: Inter-specific schistosome interactions and human morbidity in Africa.
Dabing Lu: Transmission dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum in China.
James Rudge: Modelling of the transmission dynamics of Asian schistosomes.
Artemis Koukounari: Evaluating the impact of mass chemotherapy on schistosomiasis in Africa.
Poppy Lamberton: The impact of mass human chemotherapy on the genotype and phenotype of schistosomes in natural foci.
Alice Norton (nee Rafferty): Inter-specific interactions between snails and their trematodes.
Jaya Shrivastava: Molecular epidemiology of schistosomes.
Lynsey Blair: Snail-schistosome interactions: implications for coevolution and control.
Charlotte M. Gower (nee Davies): Snail-schistosome interactions and the evolution of virulence.
- Ph.D/ D.Phil. students – Co-Supervisor
Rivka Lim: Unravelling Schistosoma hotspots.
Greg Miln: Toxoplasma gondii transmission dynamics.
Alice Morell: Navigational strategies of migratory herbivores in Botswana, Africa.
Duncan Berger: Genomics of Schistosoma spp. under contrasting selective pressure.
Cheikh Binetou Fall. The epidemiology and impact of schistosomiasis in Senegal.
Ines Marie Neves: Modelling the spatial and zoonotic landscape of schistosomiasis in an elimination landscape.
Louise Vince: Evaluating the Zoonoses in Emerging lLvestock Systems activities impact.
Kirsty Marsh: The causes and consequences of seasonal restructuring in the gut microbiome of wild wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus)
Arminder Deol: Quantitative approaches to aid the transition from schistosomiasis control to elimination programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: Uganda as a case study.
Alice Easton: Assessing the impact of mass deworming: changes in soil-transmitted helminth burden and the characteristics, co-infections and gut microbiome.
Picha Suwannahitatorn: Epidemiology of Opisthorchiasis in a Rural Community of Thailand
Fiona Fleming: Cost-Economic evaluation of integrated neglected tropical disease control.
Polydor Ngoy Mutombo: The epidemiology of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Mali and implications for their control.
Michael French: Mathematical modelling of schistosome disease dynamics under MDA.
Eva-Maria King: Immuno-epidemiology of helminth infections.
Stephen Battersby: Rat infestations, Underground drainage, and Public health.
- MSc/MPhil/MPH students:
Eleanor Raj: Systematic Review to evaluate the potential association between helminth infection and childhood physical stunting. *awarded Distinction & First Prize for MSc One Health (Human and Animal Health) Best in Year (2022).
Nina Finley: Developing a user-friendly tool to predict impact of dam construction in Africa on schistosomiasis risk. *awarded Distinction & First Prize for MSc One Health (Human and Animal Health) Best in Year (2021).
Praise Adeyemo: Estimating the economic impact of livestock schistosomiasis in Senegal. *awarded Merit.
Sarah Levitz: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii across Europe and the Americas *awarded thesis Distinction.
Isobel Gabain: Evaluation of the POC-CCA diagnostic test for livestock schistosomiasis in Africa. *awarded thesis Distinction.
Anhui Lin: Transmission dynamics and morbidity of zoonotic schistosomiasis in Niger. *awarded Distinction & First Prize for MSc One Health (Infectious Diseases) Best in Year (2020).
Topaz Reid: Dynamics of zoonotic hybrid schistosomiasis in West Africa: the role of the intermediate host.
Sarah Laskowski: Unmasking apparent human urogenital schistosomiasis in Niger: molecular bidirectional introgressive hybridization between human and livestock schistosomes. *awarded Distinction.
Anya Tober: Assessing the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and oocyst shedding in feral/free ranging domestic cats and wild civets in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Floodplain in Sabah, Borneo. *awarded Merit.
Florian Gehre: Genetic and phenotypic studies of Praziquantel efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni field isolates collected in Tanzania. *awarded First Prize for Best in Year MPH/MSc./MPhil. thesis with Distinction.
Tanya Weber: Towards barcoding Schistosoma mansoni from Uganda.
Esther Hamblion: Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Niger. *awarded Distinction.
Emily Richardson: The impact of Praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni in Uganda.
Mark Travessos: Impact of parasite dose on host reproductive strategies. *awarded Distinction.
Sonya Gowtage: Diagnosis and Control of Bovine tuberculosis.*awarded Distinction.
Oliver Kruger: Population molecular genetics of the Schistosoma haematobium intermediate host (Bulinus globosus) snails* awarded First Prize for Best in Year MSc. thesis with Distinction.
Joseph Hoffman: Population molecular genetics of the Schistosoma mansoni intermediate host (Biomphalaria pfeifferi) snails.*awarded Merit.
- BSc/BA/MSci/BVet.Med/RP2/STEM student research projects:
An-Chi (Angel) Cheng: Toxoplasma gondii-altered host behaviour: elucdiating the role of paraiste-produced dopamine.
Harry Peters: The impact of Toxoplasma gondii on wild fox (Vulpes vulpes) behaviour *awarded 1st class project.
Ryan Macdonald: Epidemiology of hybrid schistosomiasis in Senegal
Hiruni Jayasekera: Exploring transmission of Schistosoma spp. cercariae in Senegal (STEM) *awarded UW 4.0/4.0 GPA.
Theodore Bean: The Toxoplasma model of human schizophrenia: do wild foxes with natural infections represent a model system?
Chelsea Fujimoto: Detection of circovirus in UK wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) displaying clinical neurological disease associated with non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. *awarded Distinction
Lucy Rupkus: Evaluating the impact of MDA on Schistosoma species by analyzing samples pre- and post- praziquantel treatment in West Africa. *awarded 1st class project
Amelia Symeou: The parasitological repertoire of wild rodents of West Africa.
George A.W. Smith: Evaluating an association between road traffic incidents and Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in domestic cats. *awarded 1st class project and ** selected for scholarship by the Morris Foundation Petsavers award, and project selected as ‘exemplary’ with Prize to present the research at the Morris Animal Foundation Scientific Advisory Board Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA
Emma Randall: Strain differences in Toxoplasma gondii’s impact on host behaviour. *awarded 1st class project
Sarah Hogan: The impact of Praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni. *awarded 1st class project and ** awarded Best in Year Finals project Prize.
Louisa Richards: Behavioural repertoire of Schistosoma spp. and the impact of competition. *awarded 1st class project
Daniel Plimmer: Impact of Toxoplasma gondii on learning and memory in rats. *awarded 1st class project and *awarded Best in Year Finals project Prize
Helen Wakeford: molecular coevolution and implications for genetic control of schistosomiasis. *awarded 1st class project
Poppy Lamberton: An evaluation of the cercaricidal properties of Kanuka oil and tea tree oil. *awarded 1st class project and **awarded Best in Year Finals project Prize.
Alice Raffety: Relationship between behaviour and transmission success in Schistosoma larvae. *awarded 1st class project
Robert Murrey-Leach: Ecological perspectives on the distribution of schistosomiasis *awarded 1st class project
Sonya Gowtage: The impact of parasite-manipulation of host behaviour on predation *awarded 1st class project
Simon Middleton: Gastrointestinal parasites of domestic horses. *awarded 1st class project
John Williams: Molluscicide properties of tea-tree oil’ *awarded 1st class project and ** awarded Best in Year Finals project Prize.
Eleanor Fairbrother: Mixed genotype infections and the evolution of schistosome virulence. *awarded 1st class project
James Duncan: Mate choice between resistant and susceptible snails.
Karen Williams: Effect of Toxoplasma gondii on rat anti-predator behaviour.
Elizabeth Cole: Effect of Toxoplasma gondii on rat social behaviour. *awarded 1st class project
Public Understanding of Science.
Prof Joanne P. Webster’s research continues to attract significant National and International Media and Public Understanding of Science interest, particularly relating to the potential role of parasites and pathogens in behavioural alterations of both animals and humans.
Joanne has appeared on numerous science-based documentaries, media and news presentations such as:
‘Do you have a brain parasite?’ Boulders III (October 2020). ;
‘The Nature of Things’; a major natural history documentary featuring my research and myself, hosted by David Suzuki (Producer David Wells) - footage online: ;
‘Infested with Michael Mosely’ (BBC 4 Feb 2014 & March 2015) ; ;
;
‘A mind altering microbe’ ;
BBC Radio 4 ‘Case Notes’ (2010) );
Danish TV (2010: Viden Om - Parasitter på hjernen; );
BBC Radio 4 (April-May 2011) ;
BBC Radio 4 World Service News and Current Affairs/News Hour (Feb 2012); Tommy Schnumrmacher Show, Montreal Canada (February 2012);
Irish National Radio (November 2013);
BBC World Service (2006);
BBC Naked Scientists (May, 2006);
BBC Radio Cambridge (2003);
Central TV/ITV (2003);
The Late Show (2003);
BBC Radio Scotland (2003);
The Richard & Judy show (2003);
Diverse TV (2003);
BBC Radio 3 Case Notes (2003);
BBC productions ‘Body Snatchers’ (2003);
BBC 3 Counties Radio (2002 & 2003);
Radio Oxford (2002);
BBC Radio 4’s The Today Programme (July 2000 & October 2002);
BBC news (August 2000, 2001 & October 2002);
BBC Radio 4 ‘Parasites’ (2001 & 2002);
Channel 4 Education: Science in Focus (1998);
World in Action (1997);
Nautilus films First Edition ‘losing the rat race’ (1997);
Good Morning (1996).
Likewise Joanne’s research has been featured in scientific journal articles and media documentaries such as:
Ce virus nous manipule? DBYn73 (in French).
(December 2020);
‘Zoonotic parasites, an under-appreciated Area’ for the Infectious Disease Hub (September 2018)
;
Der Killerwurm (in German) - Suddeutsche Zeitung Nr. 280, Samstag/Sonntag, ¾. (December 2016);
New Scientist (2015, 30th May, 42-45;
The Scorpion and the Frog blog () (October 2014);
Science News (Jan. 26th, 2013);
The Atlantic (March 2012) );
Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (September 2012) ;
Eos (Oct. 2010);
National Geographic (28/10/2010);
Microbiologist (June 2010);
The Economist (Jun 3rd 2010; );
Edge (14, 4, 2009);
Bulletin of the World Health Organization (2008, 86, 10);
The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2007, 196, 5);
Science (2006, 12th October);
New Scientist 18th Jan 2006 online ‘breaking news’); New Scientist 19th Jan 2006;
Science Now (12/10/2006);
WellcomeScience journal (2006, (March) 2, 7);
New Scientist (2004; 184 (2472), 6th November,40-44;
Scientific American (2003, 288 (3), 70-73);
Your Cat (2003, October);
New Scientist (2002, 26th October, 40-43);
Professional Pest Controller (2001; 25, 14-15);
Futures (2001, 4, 22-23);
International Pest Controller (2001; 43, 165-167);
Science (2000; 289, (5479), 525-527;
Nature (2000; 406, 840-841);
Science Now (26/6/2000);
Der Speigel (2000; 32, 181);
And newspaper articles such as:
(Feb 25th, 2019);
(Feb. 18th 2016); (Feb. 19th 2016); (Feb. 19th 2016);
DerStandard (6th November 2015) ;
World Food News (28th October 2015) ;
The Daily Mail (21st September, 2003; 26th October 2015) ;
Medical Daily (8th June 2015) ;
The Independent (September 4th 2012) – first four pages including the front cover - ;
Toronto Star (Feb 2012);
Tyden, Czeck News (March, 2012);
Radio Times (April 2011);
New York Times (17/08/2011);
Sunday Times (April 2011);
New York Times (9/12/2007);
The Telegraph (January 2006)
Express (21st September, 2003);
The Sunday Times (September 2003);
London Metro (21st September, 2003);
The Guardian (25th September, 2003);
The Telegraph (18th January 2003);
The Sunday Times (2000);
Sunday Telegraph, Times (p12, July 26, 2000);
The Telegraph (24/06/1999);
The Sunday Times (1997).
And Joanne’s research featured in books such as:
How to Make a Zombie: the real life (and death) science of reanimation and mind control. Frank Swain. 2013. 272 publications. OneWorld Publications. ISBN-10 978185189446
Parasite Rex, Carl Zimmer; Originally published 2000. Free Press. 320 pages.
‘Gut: The Inside Story of our body’s most underrated organ.’ Giulia Enders. 2015. 271 pages. Greystone Books. ISBN: 1771641495, 9781771641494
Also published (French Edition)
‘Le Charme discret de l’inestine (edition Augumentee)): Tout sur un organe mal aime – essais sciencehumaines et politiques) (2017)
Joanne is also actively involved in presenting at, and producing material for, public understanding of science events, such as:
2020 /media/default/research/documents/rvc-bilharzia-colouring-book-english.pdf
2019 The Royal Institution: Science Lives Event. Animal CSI: Predator
Interactive workshop for general public and scientists.
2019 International Society for Neglected Tropical Disease Festival. The Wellcome Trust.
Teen Talk and Interactive workshop for general public and scientists.
2019 Research Highlights from SHEEP and CATTLES UKRI funding. Presentation and interview to Press.
The Royal Society (25th Feb 2019)
2019. Science Journal for Kids article: cutting edge peer-reviewed science research papers adapted forstudents.
Highest individual online hit and media coverage article recorded for this journal 2019.
and with French Translation to take to the field:
2018 The Whipworm Genome Schools Decoder Project: series of lectures to school on practical applications of helminth genetics and genomics.
2013 Cheltenham Science Festival. Key (sold out) public lecture presentations on Parasites.
2010-current Careers advice panel member: Oxford University Medics Global Health.
2006-current Careers advice panel member and presentations: Oxford High School, and Magdalen School. Oxford.
2004 Participant in the First UK-US Frontiers of Science Symposium, organised by the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences (US NAS). 19th-21st June, Cambridge, UK.
2004 Lecturing and discussions to a series of 300+ sixth- form state school students considering applying to Oxford University and/or following a career in science. Oxford University Natural History Museum.
2004 Presenting research on disease control to a series of pre-prep. Oxford High School students.
2003 British Council/Royal Society Networking meeting within India incorporated meetings and discussions with school children and university students contemplating study within the UK.
2002 Women in Science Program: Distinguished Visiting Scholar. University of Indiana: Presentation of a series of lectures and discussions to young women thinking of entering science as a career.
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UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub
The UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub is conducting vital research to address the intractable global challenge of child stunting. We work directly with communities across India, Indonesia and Senegal who are facing this burden. Applying a holistic, Whole Child Approach, we’re developing child-focused interventions to prevent, improve and even reverse some key features of this global issue. The tools and approaches we develop in the Hub have the potential to change the lives of a million children worldwide.
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Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems – Epidemiology and evolution of zoonotic schistosomiasis in a changing world
Hybridisation amongst parasitic agents, particularly concerning those with zoonotic potential, is a major emerging public and veterinary health concern at the interface of evolution, epidemiology, ecology, and control. Working within a One Health framework, the overarching aim of our ZELS projects is to elucidate the complex dynamics of zoonotic hybrid schistosomiasis transmission, with the ultimate goals of improving the health of affected people and their livestock.