Overview
Background
Dr Lord currently leads the Lord lab within the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland. The Lord lab research focuses on developing novel and rapid next generation surveillance and diagnostic tools for detection of pathogens in humans, animals and the environment and for characterising disease carrying vectors. Their current specialisation include the development of non-invasive tools based on spectroscopy techniques. Dr Lord pioneered the application of near-infrared spectroscopy technique for non-invasive detection of several pathogens in mosquito vectors such as Wolbachia, Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya and for differentiation of morphologically identical mosquito species. Her lab recently pioneered its application for non-invasive detection of malaria through tthe skin of people in partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil.
In the last 5 years, the Lord team attracted multi-site, national and international research funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, NHMRC, AQIRF and Grand challenges Canada as the Chief Investigator to develop rapid tools for large scale surveillance of vector control programs
Current Research interests: Development of spectroscopy tools for ports of entry for rapid identification of exotic insect species, detection of pathogens in humans and the environment
STEM Spotlight is a STEM mentorship program directed by Dr Lord whose main aim is to provide a safe and engaging space for students from CALD communities to engage in STEM activities at UQ.The program aims to encourage Students from CALD Backgrounds to pursue STEM career options. In 2023 Dr Lord was awarded Diversity and Inclusion Champion award by the Department of Multicultural affairs for this work (Diversity and Inclusion Champion award 2023).
The next STEM Spotlight event will be held at UQ St Lucia campus on the 22nd Nov, 2024. If your school would like to participate in this event, please fill in the expression of interest form Here
Availability
- Dr Maggy Lord is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
Research interests
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Mosquitoes of medical importance
Characterization of mosquito population to determine disease transmission capability
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Mosquito-borne disease
Development of rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tools
Research impacts
Our team develops rapid and non-invasive novel surveillance and diagnostic tools for multiple infectious diseases for humans and the environment. We collaborate with scientists from Fiocruz, CDC, USDA, JCU, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Brazil), Australian Defence Force, and Kenya Medical Research Institute. We focus on testing the applicability of next generation tools using rapid, high throughput, cost effective and user friendly light-based, spectroscopy devices. These tools are intended to inform public health personnel in a timely manner, on the effectiveness of an intervention, guide ellimination and predict potential disease hotspots to stop a possible outbreak.
Works
Search Professor Maggy Lord’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Conference Publication
Comparison between age estimates of wild Anopheles arabiensis using NIRS classification model and ovary dissection (Detinova's method)
Milali, Masabho P., Kiware, Samson S., Povinelli, Richard J., Corliss, George F. and Sikulu-Lord, Maggy (2017). Comparison between age estimates of wild Anopheles arabiensis using NIRS classification model and ovary dissection (Detinova's method). Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene (ASTMH), Baltimore, MD, United States, 5-9 November 2017. Deerfield, IL, United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.abstract2017
2017
Conference Publication
Next generation mosquito surveillance technique: the near infra-red spectroscopy
Sikulu-Lord, Maggy, Wirtz, Robert, Hugo, Leon, Ulrich, Jill, Devine, Gregor, Masabho, Milali P., de Freitas, Rafael and Dowell, Floyd (2017). Next generation mosquito surveillance technique: the near infra-red spectroscopy. 66th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene (ASTMH), Baltimore, Maryland USA, 05-09 November 2017. Deerfield, IL United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
2016
Journal Article
Safety and reproducibility of a clinical trial system using induced blood stage Plasmodium vivax infection and its potential as a model to evaluate malaria transmission
Griffin, Paul, Pasay, Cielo, Elliott, Suzanne, Sekuloski, Silvana, Sikulu, Maggy, Hugo, Leon, Khoury, David, Cromer, Deborah, Davenport, Miles, Sattabongkot, Jetsumon, Ivinson, Karen, Ockenhouse, Christian and McCarthy, James (2016). Safety and reproducibility of a clinical trial system using induced blood stage Plasmodium vivax infection and its potential as a model to evaluate malaria transmission. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10 (12) e0005139, e0005139. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005139
2016
Journal Article
Near-infrared spectroscopy, a rapid method for predicting the age of male and female wild-type and Wolbachia infected Aedes aegypti
Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T., Milali, Masabho P., Henry, Michael, Wirtz, Robert A., Hugo, Leon E., Dowell, Floyd E. and Devine, Gregor J. (2016). Near-infrared spectroscopy, a rapid method for predicting the age of male and female wild-type and Wolbachia infected Aedes aegypti. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10 (10) e0005040, e0005040.1-e0005040.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005040
2016
Journal Article
Rapid and non-destructive detection and identification of two strains of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti by near-infrared spectroscopy
Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T., Maia, Marta F., Milali, Masabho P., Henry, Michael, Mkandawile, Gustav, Kho, Elise A., Wirtz, Robert A., Hugo, Leon E., Dowell, Floyd E. and Devine, Gregor J. (2016). Rapid and non-destructive detection and identification of two strains of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti by near-infrared spectroscopy. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10 (6) e0004759, e0004759. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004759
2015
Conference Publication
Rapid and non-destructive near-infrared spectroscopy can predict the age and Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Sikulu, Maggy, Masabho, Peter, Henry, Michael, Lysenko, Nikita, Wirtz, Robert, Dowell, Floyd and Devine, Greg (2015). Rapid and non-destructive near-infrared spectroscopy can predict the age and Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 64th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 25-29 October 2015. Deerfield, IL, United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
2015
Journal Article
Mass spectrometry identification of age-associated proteins from the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles stephensi
Sikulu, Maggy T., Monkman, James, Dave, Keyur A., Hastie, Marcus L., Dale, Patricia E., Kitching, Roger L., Killeen, Gerry F., Kay, Brian H., Gorman, Jeffry J. and Hugo, Leon E. (2015). Mass spectrometry identification of age-associated proteins from the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles stephensi. Data in Brief, 4, 461-467. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2015.07.007
2015
Journal Article
Proteomic changes occurring in the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi during aging
Sikulu, Maggy T., Monkman, James, Dave, Keyur A., Hastie, Marcus L., Dale, Patricia E., Kitching, Roger L., Killeen, Gerry F., Kay, Brian H., Gorman, Jeffery J. and Hugo, Leon E. (2015). Proteomic changes occurring in the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi during aging. Journal of Proteomics, 126, 234-244. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.06.008
2015
Conference Publication
The complementary advantage of combining spatial repellent treated sisal decorative baskets with long lasting insecticide treated nets
Paliga, J. M., Maia, M. F., Sikulu, M., Okumu, F. O. and Ogoma, S. B. (2015). The complementary advantage of combining spatial repellent treated sisal decorative baskets with long lasting insecticide treated nets. 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Basel, Switzerland, 6‐10 September 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2014
Journal Article
Non-Destructive near Infrared Spectroscopy for Simultaneous Prediction of Age and Species of Two Major African Malaria Vectors: An. Gambiae and An. Arabiensis
Sikulu, Maggy T. (2014). Non-Destructive near Infrared Spectroscopy for Simultaneous Prediction of Age and Species of Two Major African Malaria Vectors: An. Gambiae and An. Arabiensis. NIR News, 25 (5), 4-6. doi: 10.1255/nirn.1455
2014
Journal Article
Using a near-infrared spectrometer to estimate the age of Anopheles mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids
Sikulu, Maggy T., Majambere, Silas, Khatib, Bakar O., Ali, Abdullah S., Hugo, Leon E. and Dowell, Floyd E. (2014). Using a near-infrared spectrometer to estimate the age of Anopheles mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids. PLoS One, 9 (3) e90657, e90657.1-e90657.6. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090657
2013
Journal Article
Proteomic biomarkers for ageing the mosquito Aedes aegypti to determine risk of pathogen transmission
Hugo, Leon E., Monkman, James, Dave, Keyur A., Wockner, Leesa F., Birrell, Geoff W., Norris, Emma L., Kienzle, Vivian J., Sikulu, Maggy T., Ryan, Peter A., Gorman, Jeffery J. and Kay, Brian H. (2013). Proteomic biomarkers for ageing the mosquito Aedes aegypti to determine risk of pathogen transmission. PLoS One, 8 (3) e58656, e58656.1-e58656.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058656
2011
Journal Article
Evaluating RNAlater ® as a preservative for using near-infrared spectroscopy to predict Anopheles gambiae age and species
Sikulu, Maggy, Dowell, Kayla M., Hugo, Leon E., Wirtz, Robert A., Michel, Kristin, Peiris, Kamaranga H. S., Moore, Sarah, Killeen, Gerry F. and Dowell, Floyd E. (2011). Evaluating RNAlater ® as a preservative for using near-infrared spectroscopy to predict Anopheles gambiae age and species. Malaria Journal, 10 (1) 186. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-186
2010
Journal Article
Near-infrared spectroscopy as a complementary age grading and species identification tool for African malaria vectors
Sikulu, Maggy, Killeen, Gerry F., Hugo, Leon E., Ryan, Peter A., Dowell, Kayla M., Wirtz, Robert A., Moore, Sarah J. and Dowell, Floyd E. (2010). Near-infrared spectroscopy as a complementary age grading and species identification tool for African malaria vectors. Parasites and Vectors, 3 (1) 49. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-49
2009
Journal Article
Window screening, ceilings and closed eaves as sustainable ways to control malaria in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ogoma, Sheila B., Kannady, Khadija, Sikulu, Maggy, Chaki, Prosper P., Govella, Nicodem J., Mukabana, Wolfgang R. and Killeen, Gerry F. (2009). Window screening, ceilings and closed eaves as sustainable ways to control malaria in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Malaria Journal, 8 (1) 221. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-221
2009
Journal Article
Comparative evaluation of the Ifakara tent trap-B, the standardized resting boxes and the human landing catch for sampling malaria vectors and other mosquitoes in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Sikulu, Maggy, Govella, Nicodem J., Ogoma, Sheila B., Mpangile, John, Kambi, Said H., Kannady, Khadija, Chaki, Prosper C., Mukabana, Wolfgang R. and Killeen, Gerry F. (2009). Comparative evaluation of the Ifakara tent trap-B, the standardized resting boxes and the human landing catch for sampling malaria vectors and other mosquitoes in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Malaria Journal, 8 (1) 197. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-197
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Maggy Lord is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Mosquito microbiome and pathogen interaction
This PhD project aims to assess the role of probiotics as a potential transmission blocking tool for arboviruses and parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Interested students will analyse the interaction of the mosquito microbiome and various pathogens
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Detection of malaria and arboviruses with spectroscopy and machine learning techniques
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Silvia Ciocchetta
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring diagnostic approaches and quality assurance data for improved management of gonorrhoea antimicrobial resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor David Whiley, Dr Emma Sweeney, Dr Ella Trembizki
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Detecting Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep using infrared spectroscopy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Andrew Kotze, Dr Anne Beasley
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Maggy Lord directly for media enquiries about:
- infrared spectroscopy
- malaria
- Mosquitoes
- non-invasive diagnostic tools
- surveillance
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