How humidity and heat shape malaria risk in cities
Official title: Redefining thermal suitability for urban malaria transmission in the context of humidity
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11409082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how humidity together with temperature changes the chance of malaria for people living in cities with urban mosquitoes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $20,514 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI153444-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living in or near cities where urban malaria mosquitoes are present—especially in South Asia and parts of Africa—are the most likely to benefit or be asked to provide data.
✕Less likely to help
People in rural areas where different mosquito species drive malaria or those far from urban transmission zones are less likely to see direct benefits.
What this research studies
This work combines laboratory tests on urban malaria mosquitoes, historical and real-time weather data, and computer models to see how humidity alters temperature-driven transmission. Scientists will measure mosquito survival and biting under different heat-and-humidity conditions and use those results to update transmission models. The project focuses on urban-adapted mosquitoes like Anopheles stephensi in South Asia and on preparing for possible spread into African cities. Improved models and maps aim to identify city neighborhoods and times of year with higher malaria risk so control can be targeted.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could give health authorities clearer, location-specific warnings and control plans that reduce malaria cases in cities.
How similar studies have gone: Models using temperature to explain malaria seasonality have been useful, but humidity's quantitative role is much less tested, so this project builds on established methods while adding new, understudied factors.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murdock, Courtney — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Murdock, Courtney
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Digital malaria surveillance in Ethiopia to improve outbreak detection
A collaboration to add a malaria-specific digital module to an existing surveillance system in Africa to help detect and respond to outbreaks faster.
-
Cross-sector partnership uses digital malaria surveillance in Ethiopia
A US-based team will adapt and test a digital malaria surveillance module in SORMAS to help detect and respond to malaria outbreaks in Ethiopia.
-
Malaria control project in Western Kenya to reduce illness and deaths
A large, multi-year effort in western Kenya will help track malaria spread and test ways to prevent transmission so fewer people get sick or die.
-
Optimizing tafenoquine dose to prevent relapse of vivax malaria in Asia
A study tests the best tafenoquine dose to prevent P. vivax malaria relapse in people in East Asia and Oceania.
-
Optimizing tafenoquine dose to prevent P. vivax malaria relapses in Asia
A study to find the best single-dose tafenoquine amount to prevent relapse of P. vivax malaria in people in East Asia and Oceania.
-
Severe malaria and brain risk in children
This grant studies how severe malaria in young children can affect brain development and long-term thinking and behavior, with a focus on kids in Uganda.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.