What is your role at LSHTM?
I’ve recently returned to the school as an assistant professor in the faculty of infectious and tropical diseases.

Tell us a bit about a project that you are currently working on?
As an epidemiologist I’m usually to be found evaluating studies, often community-based, to understand what works for improving health. A current example is a study funded by the Gates Foundation on the transmission dynamics and infectious reservoir of malaria (INDIE) – we’re comparing interventions to see which work best to reduce transmission.

When and how did you start working on malaria?
My MSc Medical Parasitology summer project in 2005 at the LSHTM led to some fun times collecting mosquitoes in Tanzania – I wanted to know whether insecticide treated nets led to increased biting on people in the same household who didn’t sleep under them. I didn’t return to malaria research until a few years ago however.

Where are you from?
Ealing, West London though I was born in Nigeria and came to the UK aged 3. My parents are from Trinidad/St Vincent (mum) and Nigeria (dad).

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
This changed often, but always involved fame. OK it did not involve fame, but I did want to be a violinist, then a doctor, then maybe even a fashion designer if I recall, then a scientist – which stuck.

What’s your favourite place?
Near my family – probably in the Caribbean but London isn’t bad either.

‘When I’m not working, I am…’
Doing various things but a special mention goes to the game Merge Dragons, recently recommended by my goddaughter. I’ve solved lots of work problems playing it on the tube (though alas solutions usually forgotten once I get to the LSHTM).

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Whenever possible be kind to others and to yourself.