Andrew Lover

I am an infectious disease epidemiologist with substantive focuses in malaria (especially Plasmodium vivax), other vector-borne diseases, and disease surveillance, all coupled with the design and implementation of field surveys and interventional trials.

This work is motivated by the reality that health interventions generally target broad population groups, due to a lack of detailed data on subpopulations at highest risk. This "broad brush" strategy often leads to inefficient and ineffective programs. My research strives to ensure health interventions utilize best-available epidemiological evidence to maximize the impact of inherently limited health budgets.

My work has involved field work in diverse global settings, including studies in Timor-Leste (East Timor), Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR (Laos), and Kenya, and has also included elements of qualitative research and community health to support epidemiological outcomes.

Current and ongoing studies include: (1) trialing a novel vector-control intervention for malaria elimination (Vietnam), (2) trialing strategies for targeted malaria surveillance in marginalized populations (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia), and (3) studies to understand the epidemiology of tick-borne disease (Western Massachusetts).

Visit my personal lab website here.

I am also the deputy director of the CDC-funded New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease. This regional consortium (based at UMass) compromises a wide range of academic and public health partners from across New England.