Meet The Team

Francois Maartens

Francois Maartens (MSc) has 16 years experience in applied malaria research and malaria vector control, including indoor residual spray (IRS) training, entomological field data collections, parasite prevalence surveys and the implementation and coordination of integrated malaria control operations in several African countries.

Francois was part of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI), Malaria Control Programme since 1999 and he coordinated the extension of the LSDI programme in Mozambique to Gaza Province. Francois joined Africa Fighting Malaria (AFM), an international health advocacy group in 2007 where he conducted malaria research and advocacy with the focus on IRS. Francois joined NewFields, a multidisciplinary consulting firm in 2009 as their malaria vector control manager where he managed all malaria vector control activities at workplace and community level for mining companies in Africa. Francois established his own malaria control consultancy company (Integrated Malaria Control Consulting – IMCC) in 2010 and consultant to numerous private sector companies in Africa.

Country experience includes South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic.

 

André Laas

André Laas is a malaria vector biologist with an M.Env.Sci and a PhD in comparative animal eco-physiology from North-West University, Potchefstroom South Africa.  André is a versatile scientist with more than 10 years’ experience in environmental science and possess a wealth of technical expertise.

As a specialist scientist at the malaria research unit (MRU) of the South African medical research council (MRC), André gained valuable experience on malaria vector biology and control. Functions within the MRU included project development, project management, entomological research (lab and field based), scientific communication and regional capacity development.

André was closely involved with the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI) malaria control programme in Gaza Province, Mozambique from 2009 to 2012. Here he was involved in programme administration, vector control, parasite prevalence surveys, knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) assessments, specialist advisory functions and report writing.

Expertise: 

  • Malaria vector control research (field, lab and insectary based).
  • Malaria parasite prevalence surveys
  • Knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) surveys
  • Evaluation of commercial insecticide and mosquito repellent products
  • Biological research and environmental assessments
  • Specialist advisory functions
  • Project implementation
  • Scientific writing, reporting and presentation.
  • Teaching and technical training.

Country experience includes South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, DRC and Tanzania.

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