MARCO POMBI

Academic Degrees and Titles

* National Scientific Qualification - 2012 Ministero Istruzione, Università e Ricerca Associate Professor Qualification (Professore II fascia) SC H3 - SSD VET/06. Valid from 11/Dec/2013 to 11/Dec/2019
* PhD 2005 Università di Roma “Sapienza” PhD on Pasteurian Sciences. Thesis title: “Anopheles gambiae larval habitats in an arid savanna village of Burkina Faso: characterization of bionomical parameters and potential markers of ecological niche partitioning among three sympatric taxa of the complex”. Supervisor: Prof. Mario Coluzzi; Co-supervisor: Dr. Carlo Costantini.
* University graduation 2001 Università di Roma “Sapienza” Degree in Biological Sciences (summa cum laude). Thesis title: “Biologia larvale di Aedes albopictus in ambiente urbano: analisi di parametri rilevanti in strategie di controllo”. Supervisor: Prof. Vincenzo Petrarca; Co-supervisor: Prof. Alessandra della Torre.

Additional Training

* Training Course 2017 NIH Filariasis Research Reagent Resource Center (FR3) - University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine Training title: “Experimental Techniques in Filariasis Research” 19-23 June 2017 – Athens, GA (USA)
* Training Course 2011 AvecNet project – EU-FP7 Training title: “Quantitative Analysis Workshop” 18-19 March 2011 – Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania)
* Training Course 2008 Ecole Doctorale du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle et Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6) Training title: « Analyse de Données en Génétique des Populations – ED 227 » 19-23 May 2008 – Paris (France)

Academic Appointments
* 11-2018 10-2021 Dipartimento Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive - Università di Roma “Sapienza” Assistant Professor (Ricercatore con contratto a Tempo Determinato – tipo B S.S.D. VET/06)
* 3-2013 3-2018 Dipartimento Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive - Università di Roma “Sapienza” Research Fellow (Ricercatore con contratto a Tempo Determinato – tipo A S.S.D. VET/06) in the frame of the 5-year project EU-FP7 “AvecNet”. PI: Prof. Hilary Ranson (LSTM – UK)
* 1-2010 12-2012 Dipartimento Scienze di Sanità Pubblica - Università di Roma “Sapienza” Research Fellow (Ricercatore con contratto a Tempo Determinato S.S.D. VET/06) in the frame of the 3-year project Ministero della Difesa “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale”. PI: Prof. Alessandra della Torre (Un. Sapienza)
* 1-2006 12-2009 Dipartimento Scienze di Sanità Pubblica - Università di Roma “Sapienza” Post-doctoral Fellow (Assegno di Ricerca) in the frame of the 5-year project NIH-R01 “Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae”. PI: Prof. Nora J. Besansky (Un. Notre Dame - USA)
* 8-2005 12-2005 Dipartimento Scienze di Sanità Pubblica - Università di Roma “Sapienza” Post-doctoral Fellow (Co.Co.Co.) in the frame of the project COFIN-PRIN "Analisi genetica e molecolare di Anofelini vettori di malaria umana in area Afrotropicale". PI: Prof. Alessandra della Torre (Un. Sapienza)
* 12-2004 7-2005 Institut Pasteur – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti Fellowship (Borsa di studio) in the frame of the project IP-Cenci-Bolognetti “Interactions between semiochemicals and olfactory-mediated behaviour of Afrotropical malaria vectors for the development of new monitoring and control tools”. PI: Prof. Mario Coluzzi (Un. Sapienza)

Teaching experience

* 2018/19 to date Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Farmacia e Medicina – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Latina “Parassitologia diagnostica e antropozoonosi”, c.i. “Metodologie Diagnostiche di Microbiologia” (previously “Microbiologia e Parassitologia”) - Lecturer.
* 2018/19 to date Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Farmacia e Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Pozzilli “Parassitologia diagnostica e antropozoonosi”, c.i. “Metodologie Diagnostiche di Microbiologia” (previously “Microbiologia e Parassitologia”) - Lecturer.
* 2018/19 to date Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica - Facoltà di Facoltà e Medicina – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Viterbo Monographic seminars “Parassitologia medica con particolare riguardo a contesti nosocomiali” (ADE)
* 2018/19 to date Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica - Facoltà di Facoltà e Medicina – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Isernia Monographic seminars “Parassitologia medica con particolare riguardo a contesti nosocomiali” (ADE)
* 2015/16 - 2018/2019 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Viterbo “Epidemiologia” - Lecturer and Coordinator of the course.
* 2014/15 – 2018/2019 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Viterbo Coordinator of Semester – II year, II semester and member of Technical Committee of Teaching Program (CTP)
* 2016-17 Corso caratterizzazione ed analisi di rischio sanitario ambientale per finalità del MEDINT – Stato Maggiore della Difesa Monographic seminar “Caratterizzazione ed analisi di rischio sanitario ambientale per finalità di medical intelligence: La sorveglianza vettoriale come elemento per la valutazione del rischio ambientale e sanitario”
* 2013-14 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Viterbo Monographic seminars “Malattie emergenti in Italia e globalizzazione: nuovi approcci diagnostici per l’identificazione di patogeni a trasmissione vettoriale” and “Nuove strategie per il monitoraggio e controllo della malaria” (ADE)
* 2011- to date Corso di Laurea magistrale in Biologia applicata alla ricerca bio-medica - Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali - Università di Roma “Sapienza” “Ecologia delle Malattie Parassitarie dell’uomo” -Member of the Examining Board
* 2011- to date Corso di Laurea Triennale in Scienze Biologiche - Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali - Università di Roma “Sapienza” “Parassitologia” - Member of the Examining Board
* 2009/10 – 2017/2018 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Viterbo “Parassitologia diagnostica e antropozoonosi", c.i. “Metodologie Diagnostiche di Microbiologia” (previously “Microbiologia e Parassitologia”) - Lecturer
* 2007-2011 Master International en Entomologie médicale et vétérinaire (MIE) Monographic seminars: “Cytogenetics and molecular identification of Culicidae” and “Genetics of vector populations - Vector capacity” - Lecturer
* 2006/07 Scuola di Specializzazione in Microbiologia e Virologia - I Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia – Università di Roma “Sapienza” “Entomologia sanitaria” - Lecturer
* 2005/06 – 2009/10 Scuola di Specializzazione in Microbiologia e Virologia - I Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia – Università di Roma “Sapienza” “Entomologia sanitaria” - Teaching assistant of Prof. Alessandra della Torre
* 2005/06 – 2006/07 Corso di Laurea Triennale in Biotecnologie Inter-Facoltà – Università di Roma “Sapienza” “Parassitologia” - Teaching assistant of Prof. Alessandra della Torre
* 2005/06 to date Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Latina “Parassitologia diagnostica e antropozoonosi”, c.i. “Metodologie Diagnostiche di Microbiologia” (previously “Microbiologia e Parassitologia”) - Teaching assistant of Prof. Alessandra della Torre
* 2005/06 to date CdL E in Medicina e Chirurgia - Università di Roma “Sapienza”, sede di Latina Parassitologia”, c.i. “Microbiologia” - Teaching assistant of Prof. Alessandra della Torre
* 2005/06 to date Corso di “Laurea Specialistica in Biotecnologie Mediche” - Università di Roma “Sapienza”, Sede di Roma “Parassitologia Molecolare”, c.i. “Virologia e Parassitologia Molecolari” (previously “Microbiologia, Virologia e Parassitologia Molecolari”) - Teaching assistant of Prof. Alessandra della Torre

Student Tutorships
* 2015/16 to 2016/17 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Farmacia e Medicina – Università di Roma “Sapienza” - Sede S. Camillo Forlanini. Co-supervisor of Bachelor thesis (Students: Silvia Spaldi, Alessia Santi) Supervisor: Prof. Simona Gabrielli
* 2015/16 Master degree in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Facoltà di Ingegneria - Università del Salento. Co-supervisor of Master thesis (Student: Marco Friuli). Supervisor: Prof. Alessandro Sannino
* 2013/14 to 2018/19 Corso di Laurea magistrale in Ecobiologia - Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali - Università di Roma “Sapienza. Co-supervisor of Master thesis (Student: Riccardo Maetzke, Sara Manzi, Ilaria Bernardini). Supervisor: Prof. Vincenzo Petrarca
* 2010/11 to 2016/17 Corso di Laurea in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico - Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria – Università di Roma “Sapienza” – Sede di Viterbo. Supervisor of Bachelor thesis (Students: Stefania Verdi, Sonia Fidati, Marco Bonafaccia, Irene Bracoloni, Giulia La Marca, Agnese Pascucci)
* 2010/11 Corso di Laurea Triennale in Scienze Biologiche - Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali - Università di Roma “Sapienza”. Co-supervisor of Bachelor thesis (Students: Riccardo Maetzke). Supervisor: Prof. Vincenzo Petrarca
* 2008/09 Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze di Sanità Pubblica e Microbiologia - Università di Roma “Sapienza”, CICLO XXIII. Co-supervisor of PhD thesis (Student: Andrea Drago). Supervisor: Prof. Alessandra della Torre.

Society memberships

* 2012 Member, Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE)
* 2011, 2016 Member, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
* From 2004 Member, Società Italiana di Parassitologia (SoIPa)

Patents

* 2006 Patent of an adhesive trap for mosquitoes (WO/2006/126235). PAT.N. PCT/IT2006/000389 (30.11.2006). Inventors: della Torre, Alessandra; Facchinelli, Luca; Pombi, Marco; Reiter, Ian Paul. Patent Depository: AMA DISINFESTAZIONI S.R.L. Vicolo Savini snc, 00146 Rome (IT).

Conference chairs and Invited talks

1. Chairman of Session “Infectious diseases, microbiology and parasitology”. VIII Seminar of PhD in Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Public Health. Rome (Italy) 5 June 2017.
2. Chairman of the session “Mosquitoes: Vector Biology - Epidemiology II”. 65th Annual Meeting ASTMH. Atlanta (USA), 13-17 November 2016.
3. Chairman of the session "Arthropod-borne parasitoses". XXIX Congresso della Società Italiana di Parassitologia. Bari (Italy), 21-24th June 2016.
4. Invited talk : "Nouvelles recherches opérationnelles en Italie". Assemblée générale du Centre National d'Expertise sur les Vecteurs. Montpellier (France), 12th October 2012.
5. Invited talk : "Lutte anti-vectorielle contre Aedes albopictus et Anopheles labranchiae, et recherches sur la LAV en Italie". Séminaire sur la recherche en lutte anti-vectorielle. Montpellier (France), 28th May 2010.
6. Invited talk : "Studying the biology of Aedes albopictus in Rome with a new monitoring tool". Jornada técnica sobre la situación actual de Aedes albopictus (mosquito tigre) en Europa y medidas de control. Grañén (Spagna), 3rd February 2009.
7. Invited talk : "Chromosomal plasticity and evolutionary potential in Anopheles gambiae". Chromosomal evolution: from theory to malaria vectors - Workshop de l'IFR 119 Montpellier environnement-biodiversité. Montpellier (France), 18th December 2008.
8. Invited talk : "Aspetti ecologici e comportamentali di Aedes albopictus". 1° Convegno Nazionale Zanzara Tigre: Condividere le conoscenze per prevenire e contrastare la diffusione. Parma (Italy) 10th May 2006.

Editorial Boards and Reviewer experience

* From 2018 Member of the Editorial board of the journal Medical and Veterinary Entomology
* From 2017 Member of the Scientific Advisory board of the journal Fragmenta Entomologica
* From 2014 Project Referee of “Actions Concertées Internationales Pasteuriennes” (ACIP) funding program – Institut Pasteur
* From 2013 Project Referee of “Chercheur(se) d'avenir” funding program – Région Languedoc-Roussillon, France
* From 2008 Ad hoc Journal Reviewer: Annali di Igiene, Annali ISS, BMC Genomics, ELSEVIER-Academic Press, Fragmenta Entomologica, Infection Genetics and Evolution, Insect Molecular Biology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal of Insect Science, Journal of Insects, Journal of Medical Entomology, Journal of Tropical Medicine, Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, Journal of Vector Ecology, Malaria Journal, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Parasite, Parasites & Vectors, PLoS ONE, PLoS NTD, PNAS, Scientific Data, Scientific Reports, Transactions RSTMH, Veterinary Parasitology.

Organization of meetings

* 2018 Organization of the meeting MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES IN ITALY: A RECURRENT CHALLENGE (Sapienza University of Rome, 28 November 2018)
* 2014 Member of the Organizing Committee of the XXVIII National Congress of Parasitology (Sapienza University of Rome, 24-27 June 2014)

Dissemination of knowledge (Terza Missione)

* 14 Nov 2017 Journal interview: Starbene N°48-2017 - Dal morbo di Lyme si guarisce?
* 8 Nov 2017 Journal interview: Settimana Veterinaria N°1025 - Dossier: Zanzara, un vettore da tenere d’occhio!
* 26 Sep 2017 Journal interview: Starbene N°41-2017 - Che sintomi provoca la Chikungunya?
* 19 Sep 2017 Journal interview: Starbene N°40-2017 - In Italia sta tornando la malaria?
* 7 Sep 2017 News agency interview: AdnKronos salute - Sanità: esperto zanzare su caso malaria, identificare ceppo primo passo.
* 23 May 2016 Seminar: Pint of Science Roma - “La malaria, un gigante dai piedi d’argilla o un muro di gomma?”
* 23 Mar 2016 Journal interview: Starbene N°15-2016 - ZIKA: le zanzare comuni non infettano.
* 15 Feb 2016 TV interview: RAI2 TG2 insieme – TG2 salute.
* 13 Feb 2016 News agency interview: AdnKronos salute - Zika, il cacciatore di zanzare “In Italia protetti dal clima fino a maggio”.
* 30 Dec 2015 News agency interview: AdnKronos salute - I cacciatori di zanzare, da Roma studi e trappole per battere la malaria.
* 24 Mar 2014 TV interview: RAI1 Unomattina - Zanzare: ritorno in anticipo.
* 8 May 2013 Daily newspaper interview: Leggo – Lotta alla zanzara tigre, coinvolti pure i condomini.

Funding Information (note: R.U.= Research Unit)

Grants awarded as Principal Investigator or co-PI

1 2017-2020 SENSOR: sistema integrato per la sorveglianza dei patogeni trasmessi da vettori. PI: M. Pombi Ministero della Difesa – Programma Nazionale Ricerca Militare 760.000€
(442.250€ to R.U.)
2 2017-2018 Study of Phortica variegata in Italy. PI: M. Pombi Clinglobal Limited (conto terzi) 28.000€ to R.U.
3 2016 Chromosomal and molecular characterization of An. gambiae for empowering functional genomics through inversion genotyping. PI: M. Pombi Progetti di Ricerca Universitari - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 4.000€ to R.U.
4 2016 Visiting professor grant – Prof. Nora J. Besansky. PI: M. Pombi Professori visitatori per attività di ricerca - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 4.500€ to R.U.
5 2014 Indagine multidisciplinare sul ruolo di fattori ecologici nella trasmissione vettoriale di Leishmania infantum e Toscana virus in Italia centrale. PI: M. Pombi Progetti di Ricerca Universitari - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 8.000€ to R.U.
6 2012 La malaria, ieri e oggi, nell’Agro Romano. PI: M. Pombi, A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Progetti per iniziative culturali e tecnico – scientifiche per la salvaguardia del patrimonio ambientale ed ecologico nella riserva del litorale romano – Comune di Fiumicino 16.000€ to R.U.
7 2010 Development of high-resolution polytene chromosome map of larval stage of Anopheles gambiae complex (Diptera: Culicidae). PI: M. Pombi Progetti di Ricerca Universitari - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 5.000€ to R.U.

Contribution to funded projects as Participant

8 2017 Enhancing preparedness to public health risks and economic burden associated to invasive mosquitoes in Italy. PI: A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Progetti di Ricerca Universitari - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 12.500€ to R.U.
9 2017-2022 Empowering functional genomics of An. gambiae through inversion genotyping. PI: Nora J. Besansky (University of Notre Dame, USA) National Institutes of Health – R01 1.800.000$ (320.020 $ to R.U.)
10 2017-2019 EXploring the hidden GENomic diversity of Anopheles gambiae and A. coluzzii species pair to account for spatial differences in MALaria transmission (ExGenMal). PI: B. Caputo (Sapienza, IT) Research Project Actions Concertees Interpasteuriennes ACIP, funded by Institut Pasteur, Paris (France) 50.000€ to R.U.
11 2014-16 Population genomics of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. PI: A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Progetti di Ricerca Universitari – Awards - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 60.000€ to R.U.
12 2012-14 Climate, global drivers and immunodeficiency: effects on the leishmaniosis transmission patterns in Central Italy and appropriate diagnostic flow charts. PI: S. Gabrielli (Sapienza, IT) Ministero della Salute – Finanziamento Giovani Ricercatori 2011 217.000€ (110.000€ to R.U.)
13 2012-2017 “Investigating the role of reproductive barriers in an emblematic case of incipient speciation”. PI: B. Caputo (Sapienza, IT) FIRB Giovani - "FUTURO IN RICERCA" 2010 - MIUR 340.000€ to R.U.
14 2012-13 Functional evolution of chromosomal inversions in Anopheles arabiensis. PI: J. M. Ranz (UC Irvine, USA) National Institute of Health R21 419.000$ (no funds to R.U.)
15 2012 "Real Time PCR in parassitologia: dalla ricerca di base alle applicazioni diagnostiche." PI: A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Finanziamento grandi attrezzature scientifiche di Ateneo - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 19.000€ to R.U.
16 2011-2012 “Environmental, immunological and socio-economic factors associated to the risk of Chikungunya outbreaks transmitted by the Tiger Mosquito in urban areas: an analysis at different levels of biological organization.” PI: A. Solimini (Sapienza, IT) Progetti di ricerca under 45 - - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 32.000€ to R.U.
17 2011 “Attività di networking a livello Europeo per lo sviluppo di modelli di previsione del rischio di epidemia da virus emergenti basati su tecnologie diagnostiche innovative.” PI: A. Solimini (Sapienza, IT) FARI 2011 - Università di Roma “Sapienza” 6.500€ to R.U.

Contribution to funded projects as post-doctoral/research fellow

18 2014-2017 “Lutte contre le paludisme au Burkina Faso: formation et recherche”. PI: D. Modiano (Sapienza, IT) Ministero Affari Esteri – Cooperazione Italiana 2.000.000€ to R.U.
19 2014-2016 “Population genomics of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae”. PI: A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Institut Pasteur – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti” 60.000€ to R.U.
20 2011-2016 “EDENext—Biology and Control of Vector-Borne Infections in Europe” N°261504. PI: Dr. R Lancelot (CIRAD, France) EC-FP7-HEALTH-2010- Coordination 12.000.000€ (250.000€ to R.U.)
21 2011-16 “AVECNET—African Vector Control: New Tools” N°265660. PI: Prof. H. Ranson (LSTM, UK) EC-FP7-HEALTH-2010-Coordination 12.000.000€ (508.000€ to R.U.)
22 2010-2012 “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale”. PI: Prof. A. della Torre (Sapienza, IT) Ministero della Difesa - Ispettorato Generale della Sanità Militare 726.000€ to R.U.
23 2009-2012 “INFRAVEC - Research capacity for the implementation of genetic control of mosquitoes” N° 228421. PI: Prof. A. Crisanti (Imperial College, UK). EC-FP7-HEALTH-2007-Infrastructures 8.500.000€ (155.000€ to R.U.)
24 2009-2012 “Genetic and phenotypic characterization of species and molecular forms of the Anopheles gambiae complex (Diptera: Culicidae), afrotropical malaria vectors” PI: Prof. A. della Torre; Prof. V. Petrarca (Sapienza, IT) Institut Pasteur – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti” 60.000€ to R.U.
25 2005-2012 “Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae” N° R01-AI063508 PI: Nora J. Besansky (University of Notre Dame, USA) National Institutes of Health – R01 2.800.000$ (538.000$ to R.U.)

Research experience

Field and laboratory experiences in foreign research institutions (see section VIIB for details)

* 28 Aug – 26 Sep 2001 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Post-graduation field training. Contribution to the collection and morphological identification of Anopheles gambiae and An. funestus mosquitoes at CNRFP of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), under the supervision of Dr. N. Sagnon and C. Costantini in the frame of the WHO/TDR grant "Study of niche-partitioning between Anopheles gambiae complex malaria vectors in Burkina Faso ". PI: N. Sagnon (CNRFP, Burkina Faso).
* 1 Jul – 20 Dec 2003 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Drs. N’Fale Sagnon and Carlo Costantini for the field and laboratory activities concerning the PhD project.
* 23 Jun –12 Sep 2005 Notre Dame University, Eck Institute of Global Health. Notre Dame, IN, USA. Collaboration with Prof. Nora Besansky for laboratory activities concerning the NIH R01 project "Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae".
* 19 Sep – 29 Nov 2005 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Dr. N’Fale Sagnon for field and laboratory activities concerning the NIH R01 project "Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae".
* From 8 Jul 2006 to 17 Oct 2009 - 5 visits - Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement/Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante/Centre Muraz. Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Drs. Frederic Simard, Carlo Costantini, Roch Dabire for field and laboratory activities concerning the NIH R01 project "Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae".
* From 12 Dec 2007 to 30 May 2013 - 6 visits - Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement. Montpellier, France. Collaboration with Drs. Frederic Simard, Carlo Costantini, Diego Ayala and Didier Fontenille for data analysis and manuscript writing concerning the NIH R01 project "Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae".
* 8–30 Oct 2010 Instituto Nacional Saúde Pública – INASA. Bissau, Guinea Bissau. Visit to Dr. Amabelia Rodriguez for the field activities concerning the project “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale”, in collaboration with Dr. Joao Pinto (Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa).
* 11-28 Sep 2011 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Drs. N’Fale Sagnon and Moussa Guelbeogo for field and laboratory activities concerning the projects “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale” and "AvecNet".
* 17 Jan –3 Feb 2012 Virginia Tech, Department of Entomology. Blacksburg, VA, USA. Collaboration with Prof. Igor Sharakhov for laboratory activities concerning the development of a protocol for larval karyotyping of Anopheles gambiae and writing of a collaborative proposal.
* 1-14 Apr 2012 and 13-28 Sep 2012 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Drs. N’Fale Sagnon and Moussa Guelbeogo for field and laboratory activities concerning the projects “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale” and "AvecNet".
* 25 feb-1 mar 2013 Wageningen University, Laboratory of Entomology. Wageningen, Netherlands. Visit to Prof. Willem Takken for research activities in developing trapping methods of Aedes albopictus.
* From 13 Mar 2013 to 15 Sep 2015 - 7 visits - Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP). Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Drs. N’Fale Sagnon and Moussa Guelbeogo for field and laboratory activities concerning the project "AvecNet".
* 14-19 Jan 2015 and 9-15 Sep 2015 Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP)/ Bureau du Projet: "Lutte Contre le Paludisme: Formation et Recherche". Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Collaboration with Dr. Sodiomon Sirima and Prof. David Modiano for organization activities and kick-off meeting of the project “Lutte contre le paludisme au Burkina Faso: formation et recherche”.

Research lines

My research interests focus on the study of insect vectors with special emphasis on evolutionary biology, genetics and ecology of vectors of malaria and arboviruses. A parallel research line targets the development of new sampling methods for the surveillance, monitoring and control of insect vectors in Italy and tropical areas. Below are reported the main activities carried out in the frame of these research lines, highlighting principal collaborators and funding projects.

Evolutionary biology, genetics and ecology of Afrotropical vectors of malaria
Keywords: malaria vector behaviour, ecology, speciation, cytogenetics

2010 – to date Field and laboratory studies aimed to highlight the level of gene flow between sympatric species of the Anopheles gambiae complex in an area in which high levels of hybridization have been observed (Guinea Bissau). In the frame of this research it has been conducted a field mission for the collection and morphological identification of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Guinea Bissau. Principal collaborators: Prof. Joao Pinto (IHMT, Portugal), Dr. Amabelia Rodriguez (INASA, Guinea Bissau), Dr. B. Caputo, Prof. A. della Torre (Sapienza, Italy).

2005 – to date Study of the ecological and genetic basis of speciation in the major African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. This research topic adopts a multi-disciplinary approach involving ecological, behavioural, cytogenetic and molecular methods to dissect factors driving the process of speciation of the An. gambiae complex.
In particular, from 2006 to 2009 I was hired as research fellow (assegnista di ricerca) at the Università di Roma "Sapienza" to the NIH project “Ecological genomics of Anopheles gambiae”. In the frame of this project, I was responsible for field activities in Burkina Faso as well as of the cytogenetic analyses in “Sapienza” University in Rome. In particular, I was responsible of the aspects related to the planning of scientific activities, management of technical personnel, field collection of entomological samples, laboratory analysis, karyotyping and data processing. Under the aforementioned project, I also conducted laboratory research activities (mosquito crossing, microsatellite analysis, data processing) in the Eck Institute of Global Health of the University of Notre Dame (USA). Principal collaborators: Prof. N. Besansky (Notre Dame, USA), Drs. C. Costantini, F. Simard, K. Mouline, D. Ayala, D. Fontenille (IRD, France), Dr. G. Gimonneau (CIRAD, France), Dr. R. Dabiré (IRSS, Burkina Faso), Drs. N. Sagnon, M. Guelbeogo (CNRFP, Burkina Faso), Prof. A. della Torre, Prof. Petrarca (Sapienza, Italy).

2003-to date Study of larval niche partitioning of sympatric species of Anopheles gambiae complex.
This research topic is strictly linked to the one mentioned above, with a special focus on the aspects affecting the ecology and distribution of these species in their larval phase.
I started working to this topic during my PhD project, conducting field and laboratory research activities (Anopheles larval sampling, morphological and molecular identification of samples collected, microbiological and physical-chemical analysis of water samples from larval breeding sites) at the CNRFP of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in collaboration with Dr. N. Sagnon and under the supervision of Dr. C. Costantini. The study continued in the following years also in collaboration with Drs. F. Simard and G. Gimonneau at the IRD/IRSS of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, with several field mission for larval sampling in different ecological contexts. Samples collected are now under analysis using a MiSeq metagenomic approach in order to identify bacterial species involved in larval niche partitioning of An. gambiae complex species.
Principal collaborators: Dr. C. Costantini (IRD, France), Dr. N. Sagnon (CNRFP, Burkina Faso), Dr. G. Gimonneau (CIRAD, France) Prof. A. della Torre, Prof. Serena Schippa (Sapienza, Italy), Dr. Monica Santamaria, Prof. G. Pesole (University of Bari, Italy).

Development of new sampling methods for the surveillance, monitoring and control of insect vectors
Keywords: vector capacity, monitoring, control, epidemiology

2012 – to date Evaluation of presence, infective status and behaviour of insect vectors such as Phlebotomine sand fly species and the drosophilid Phortica variegata, in order to determine their vector role in Central and Southern Italy. I am responsible of survey planning and evaluation of best trapping methods for field collection, study of the population dynamics and identification of trophic preferences of the sampled vectors. Principal collaborators: Dr. S. Gabrielli (Sapienza, Italy), Profs. D. Otranto, R. Lia (Università di Bari, Italy), Dr. G. Macrì and Dr. P. Calderini (IZSLT, Italy), Dr. A. Pasini (CNR, Italy).
2010 – to date Development of new sampling tools for malaria vector monitoring. In this research line I contributed as assistant professor (Ricercatore T.D. – tipo A) at the Università di Roma "Sapienza" to the EU-FP7 project “Avecnet”. The ultimate goal of the project was to develop innovative methods to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of Work Package 7 of the project (WP coordinator Prof. A. della Torre, Sapienza, IT), the main objective was to improve trapping methods for sampling malaria vectors in Africa in order to highlight environmental and behavioral changes associated to the anthropization of endemic contexts and to the use of malaria transmission preventing measures (e.g. indoor residual spraying and mosquito bednets). Principal collaborators: Prof. H: Ranson (LSTM, UK), Prof. A. della Torre (Sapienza, Italy), Drs. W. Guelbeogo, N. Sagnon, (CNRFP, Burkina Faso), Prof. H. Ferguson (University of Glasgow, UK).

2001 – to date Development of surveillance approaches to monitor mosquito vectors in temperate and tropical areas. This research topic aims to develop sampling tool sensitive enough to not only evaluate the presence of the potential vectors, but also to study their behavior/infective status. One of the major result is the design and testing of an adulticidal sticky trap, patented by AMA-DISINFESTAZIONI s.r.l., of which I am a co-inventor (see section VB). The sticky trap has revealed to be a versatile tool not only as an alternative to the traditional ovitrap for monitoring population dynamics, but also to measure biological parameters of importance in estimating vector capacity of Aedes albopictus and other container breeding mosquitoes, such as resting behaviour, host-preference and dispersal. I also contributed as research fellow (Ricercatore T.D.) at the Università di Roma "Sapienza" to the project “Telesorveglianza Vettoriale”.This project aimed to the develop and test of new approaches to monitor mosquito vector species (such as Aedes albopictus and Anopheles gambiae) based on the usage of sticky traps and a remote identification of samples collected to assess the risk of transmission of vector-borne diseases in areas of military interest. Prototypes of mosquito adult traps were developed and tested of both in Italy and in tropical areas (Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan). Finally, this research topic led to the funding of a new three-year project, named “Sensor” in which the sampling tools will be implemented with a device for the detection of pathogens in insects collected, correlating vector density and pathogen presence with an estimate of the biting exposure of the host population in the area monitored. Principal collaborators: Col. Dr. V. La Gioia, Ten. Col. A. Mannino (Stato Maggiore della Difesa, Italy), Drs. N. Sagnon, W. Guelbeogo (CNRFP, Burkina Faso), Prof. Prof. W. Takken (University of Wageningen, Netherlands), Prof. Joao Pinto (IHMT, Portugal), Dr. A. Rodriguez (INASA, Guinea Bissau), Prof. A. della Torre, Dr. Francesca Marini, Dr. B. Caputo, Dr. A. Solimini, Dr. C. De Vito, Dr. C. Scagnolari (Sapienza, Italy), Dr. L. Facchinelli and Dr. L Valerio (LSTM, UK), Prof. P. Reiter, (Institut Pasteur, France).

Scientific papers
(papers as corresponding author are marked with *)

1. Pombi M*, Calzetta M, Guelbeogo WM, Manica M, Perugini E, Mancini E, Sagnon N, Ranson H, della Torre A. Unexpectedly low Human Blood Index associated to high Plasmodium sporozoite rates in Anopheles coluzzii from a LLIN-protected village in Burkina Faso. Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 24;8(1):12806.
2. Calzetta M, Perugini E, Seixas G, Sousa CA, Guelbeogo WM, Sagnon N, della Torre A, Pinto J, Pombi M, Mancini E. A novel nested-PCR assay targeting Plasmodium mitochondrial DNA in field-collected Anopheles mosquitoes. Med Vet Entomol. 2018 Sep;32(3):372-377.
3. Benelli G, Pombi M, Otranto D. Malaria in Italy - migrants are not the cause. Trends in Parasitol. 2018 May;34(5):351-354.
4. Latrofa MS, Iatta R, Dantas-Torres F, Annoscia G, Gabrielli S, Pombi M, Gradoni L, Otranto D. Leishmania infantum in phlebotomine sand flies in a focus of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol. 2018 Apr 15;253:39-42.
5. Otranto D, Iatta R, Lia RP, Cavalera MA, Màca J, Pombi M, Dantas-Torres F, Jaenike J. Competence of Phortica variegata from the United States as intermediate host of Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Apr;98(4):1175-1178.
6. Pombi M*, Kengne P, Gimonneau G, Tene-Fossog B, Ayala D, Kamdem C, Santolamazza F, Guelbeogo WM, Sagnon N, Petrarca V, Fontenille D, Besansky NJ, Antonio-Nkondjio C, Dabiré RK, della Torre A, Simard F, Costantini C. Dissecting functional components of reproductive isolation among closely related sympatric species of the Anopheles gambiae complex. Evol Appl. 2017 Oct 5;10(10):1102-1120.
7. Vicente JL, Clarkson CS, Caputo B, Gomes B, Pombi M, Sousa CA, Antao T, Dinis J, Bottà G, Mancini E, Petrarca V, Mead D, Drury E, Stalker J, Miles A, Kwiatkowski DP, Donnelly MJ, Rodrigues A, Torre AD, Weetman D, Pinto J. Massive introgression drives species radiation at the range limit of Anopheles gambiae. Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 18;7:46451.
8. Cavallero S, Pombi M, Perrone V, Milardi GL, D'Amelio S, Giuliani C, Gabrielli S. Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Oestridae) in the diaphragmatic muscle: An unusual finding. Vet Parasitol. 2017 Apr 15;237:117-121.
9. Tawe L, Ramatlho P, Waniwa K, Muthoga CW, Makate N, Ntebela DS, Quaye IK, Pombi M, Paganotti GM. Preliminary survey on Anopheles species distribution in Botswana shows the presence of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus complexes. Malar J. 2017 Mar 7;16(1):106.
10. Ayala D, Acevedo P, Pombi M, Dia I, Boccolini D, Costantini C, Simard F, Fontenille D. Chromosome inversions and ecological plasticity in the main African malaria mosquitoes. Evolution. 2017 Mar;71(3):686-701.
11. Caputo B, Pichler V, Mancini E, Pombi M, Vicente J, Rodrigues A, Dinis J, Petrarca V, Pinto J, della Torre A, Weetman D. The last bastion? X-chromosome of Anopheles species-pair males from a hybrid zone reveals recombination within a major genomic island of speciation. Mol Ecol. 25(22):5719-5731.
12. Dutto M, Bertero M, Petrosillo N, Pombi M, Otranto D. Ebola virus and arthropods: a literature review and entomological consideration on the vector role. Bull Soc Pat Exot. 109(4):244-247.
13. Kreppel KS, Johnson PCD, Govella NJ, Pombi M, Maliti D, Ferguson HM. Comparative evaluation of the Sticky-Resting-Box-Trap, the standardised Resting-Bucket-Trap and indoor aspiration for sampling malaria vectors. Parasit Vectors. 2015 Sep 17;8:462.
14. Mancini E, Spinaci MI, Gordicho V, Caputo B, Pombi M, Vicente JL, Dinis J, Rodrigues A, Petrarca V, Weetman D, Pinto J, della Torre A. Adaptive potential of hybridization among malaria vectors: introgression at the immune locus TEP1 between Anopheles coluzzii and A. gambiae in ‘Far-West’ Africa. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 5;10(6):e0127804.
15. Tene Fossog B, Ayala D, Acevedo P, Kengne P, Ngomo Abeso Mebuy I, Makanga B, Magnus J, Awono-Ambene P, Njiokou F, Pombi M, Antonio-Nkondjio C, Paupy C, Besansky NJ, Costantini C. Habitat segregation and ecological character displacement in cryptic African malaria mosquitoes. Evol Appl. 2015 Apr;8(4):326-45.
16. Pombi M*, Guelbeogo WM, Calzetta M, Sagnon N, Petrarca V, La Gioia V, della Torre A. Evaluation of a protocol for remote identification of mosquito vector species reveals BG-Sentinel trap as an efficient tool for Anopheles gambiae outdoor collection in Burkina Faso. Malaria Journal. 2015 Apr 15;14:161.
17. Gordicho V, Vicente JL, Sousa CA, Caputo B, Pombi M, Dinis J, Seixas G, Palsson K, Weetman D, Rodrigues A, della Torre A, Pinto J. First report of an exophilic Anopheles arabiensis population in Bissau City, Guinea-Bissau: recent introduction or sampling bias? Malar J. 2014 Nov 4;13.
18. Arcà B, Struchiner CJ, Pham VM, Sferra G, Lombardo F, Pombi M, Ribeiro JMC. Positive selection drives accelerated evolution of mosquito salivary genes associated with blood-feeding. Insect Molecular Biology 2014, 23(1): 122-31.
19. Pombi M*, Jacobs F, Verhulst NO, Caputo B, Della Torre A, Takken W. Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy. Parasit Vectors. 2014 Dec 11;7(1):580.
20. Pombi M*, Guelbeogo WM, Kreppel K, Calzetta M, Traoré A, Sanou A, Ranson H, Ferguson HM, Sagnon NF, della Torre A. The Sticky Resting Box, a new tool for studying resting behaviour of Afrotropical malaria vectors. Parasit Vectors. 2014 May 29;7:247.
21. Drago A, Martini S, Vettorato C, Pombi M*, Dutto M. The presence of white eggs in the monitoring of Aedes albopictus ( Diptera: Culicidae) by ovitraps. Journal of Vector Ecology 2013, 38(2): 326-329.
22. Caputo B, Ienco A, Cianci D, Pombi M, Petrarca V, Baseggio A, Devine GJ, della Torre A. The "auto-dissemination" approach: a novel concept to fight Aedes albopictus in urban areas. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012, 6(8):e1793.
23. Drago A, Marini F, Caputo B, Coluzzi M, della Torre A, Pombi M*. Looking for the gold standard: assessment of effectiveness of four traps for monitoring mosquitoes in Italy. J Vector Ecology 2012, 37(1):117-23.
24. Gimonneau G, Pombi M, Dabiré RK, Diabaté A, Morand S, Simard F. Behavioural responses of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto M and S molecular form larvae to an aquatic predator in Burkina Faso. Parasites & Vectors 2012, 5:65.
25. Della Torre A, Pombi M, Petrarca V, Coluzzi M. New mosquito subgroup breeds questions. Science 2011, 22;332(6028):419-20; authors’ reply.
26. Gimonneau G, Pombi M, Choisy M, Morand S, Dabiré RK, Simard F. Larval habitat segregation between the molecular forms of the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae in a rice field area of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Med Vet Entomol. 2012, 26(1):9-17.
27. Marini F, Caputo B, Pombi M, Tarsitani G, della Torre A. Studying Aedes albopictus dispersal in Rome (Italy) using sticky-traps in mark-release-recapture experiments. Med Vet Entomol. 2010, 24(4):361-8.
28. Valerio L, Marini F, Bongiorno G, Facchinelli L, Pombi M, Caputo B, Maroli M, della Torre A. Host-Feeding Patterns of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Urban and Rural Contexts within Rome Province, Italy. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2010. 10(3): 291-4.
29. Costantini C, Ayala D, Guelbeogo WM, Pombi M, Some C Y, Bassole IHN, Ose K, Fotsing JM, Sagnon N’F, Fontenille D, Besansky NJ, Simard F. Living at the edge: biogeographic patterns of habitat segregation conform to speciation by niche expansion in Anopheles gambiae. BMC Ecol. 2009 May 21; 9(1): 16.
30. Simard F, Ayala D, Kamdem GC, Pombi M, Etouna J, Ose K, Fotsing JM, Fontenille D, Besansky NJ, Costantini C. Ecological niche partitioning between Anopheles gambiae molecular forms in Cameroon: the ecological side of speciation. BMC Ecol. 2009 May 21; 9(1): 17.
31. Pombi M*, Caputo B, Simard F, Di Deco MA, Coluzzi M, della Torre A, Costantini C, Besansky NJ, Petrarca V. Chromosomal plasticity and evolutionary potential in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto: insights from three decades of rare paracentric inversions. BMC Evol Biol. 2008 Nov 10; 8(1): 309.
32. Cassone BJ, Mouline K, Hahn MW, White BJ, Pombi M, Simard F, Costantini C, Besansky NJ. Differential gene expression in incipient species of Anopheles gambiae. Mol Ecol. 2008 May; 17(10): 2491-504.
33. Valerio L, Marini F, Bongiorno G, Facchinelli L, Pombi M, Caputo B, Maroli M, della Torre A. (2008). Blood-feeding preferences of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban and rural settings within the province of Rome, Italy. Parassitologia, 50(1-2):103-104.
34. White BJ, Santolamazza F, Kamau L, Pombi M, Grushko O, Mouline K, Brengues C, Guelbeogo W, Coulibaly M, Kayondo JK, Sharakhov I, Simard F, Petrarca V, Della Torre A, Besansky NJ. Molecular karyotyping of the 2La inversion in Anopheles gambiae. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007, 76(2): 334-9.
35. Stump AD, Pombi M, Goeddel L, Ribeiro JM, Wilder JA, della Torre A, Besansky NJ. Genetic exchange in 2La inversion heterokaryotypes of Anopheles gambiae. Insect Mol Biol. 2007, 16(6):703-9.
36. White BJ, Hahn MW, Pombi M, Cassone BJ, Lobo NF, Simard F, Besansky NJ. Localization of candidate regions maintaining a common polymorphic inversion (2La) in Anopheles gambiae. PLoS Genet. 2007, 3(12): e217.
37. Coulibaly MB, Pombi M, Caputo B, Nwakanma D, Jawara M, Konate L, Dia I, Fofana A, Kern M, Simard F, Conway DJ, Petrarca V, della Torre A, Traoré S, Besansky NJ. PCR-based karyotyping of Anopheles gambiae inversion 2Rj identifies the BAMAKO chromosomal form. Malar J. 2007, 6: 133.
38. Facchinelli L, Valerio L, Pombi M, Reiter P, Costantini C, della Torre A. Development of a novel sticky trap for container-breeding mosquitoes and evaluation of its sampling properties to monitor urban populations of Aedes albopictus. Med Vet Entomol. 2007, 21(2): 183-95.
39. Pombi M, Stump AD, Della Torre A, Besansky NJ. Variation in recombination rate across the X chromosome of Anopheles gambiae. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006, 75(5):901-3.
40. Pombi M*, Costantini C, della Torre A. Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) a Roma: analisi sperimentale di parametri rilevanti in strategie di controllo. Parassitologia. 2003, 45(2): 97-102.
Book chapters:
1. Pombi M, Modiano D, Corbellini G (2018). Malaria eradication in Italy: the story of a first success. Book chapter. In: Roche B, Broutin H, Simard F. Ecology and evolution for the control of infectious diseases in low-income countries. p. 200-216 (chapt. 13), Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780198789840.
2. Arcà B, della Torre A, Pombi M (2014). Gli insetti vettori di patogeni animali. Book chapter. In: Pennacchio F. Gli insetti e il loro controllo. p. 443-477 (cap. 16), Napoli: Liguori, ISBN: 978-88-207-5351-1.
Conference abstracts: >70 in National and International Meetings.