Mapping malaria in Sri Lanka

Niluka Gunawardena spent summer 2006 helping her native Sri Lanka identify areas susceptible to malaria. Thanks to a Steinbrecher Fellowship, she could fund her transportation and equipment costs for her research project ³Malaria Risk Mapping in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka.²

Malaria--a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that kills an estimated 700,000-2.7 million persons a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control--has become a growing concern in Sri Lanka since the Tsunami devastated much of the region in 2004. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technology, Gunawardena mapped areas vulnerable to malaria in the Uva Province. By comparing how these factors vary across the province, the computer software will be able to delineate areas most suitable for mosquito growth, and thus most at risk for malaria.

Breaking new ground

Specifically, Gunawardena created a computerized map database designed to reveal areas of the Uva Province particularly susceptible to malaria. This map will be the first of its kind for that province and will allow health officials to better direct costly malaria control resources to the areas most at risk. Gunawardena also worked with and provided her results to the International Water Management Institute, an organization that has already completed similar mapping for the north central province of Sri Lanka.

Since malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, Gunawardena entered into the database information about conditions favorable to mosquito growth. Mosquitoes thrive at elevations less than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), in temperatures between 18 degrees and 31 degrees C (approximately 65-88 degrees F), and in areas where rainfall levels reach at least 80 mm (3.1 inches) for five consecutive months. Her database will contain the information on elevation and annual parasite incidence per 1,000 people.

Clark inspired

Gunawardena learned about GIS--a sophisticated mapping technique that can be used to identify regions with conditions favorable to different diseases, including malaria-- in Clark's ³Introduction to GIS² course. GIS involves primary research on the manner in which knowledge is acquired from spatially referenced data. Clark has been a leader in the development of GIS since the mid-1980s.

"Sri Lanka is in dire need of the expertise Niluka is learning at Clark,² says Eugenio Marcano, assistant professor in the International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE) Department. ³She is very interested in using the knowledge learned here to help solve problems of the rural communities in her country."

The Steinbrecher Fellowship Program was created by Phyllis and Stephen '55 Steinbrecher in memory of their son David C. Steinbrecher '81. The Steinbrecher Fellowships are modeled on the Anton Fellowship Program, which was established six years ago by a gift from Barbara '56 and the late Thomas '56 Anton. Both of these Fellowships are designed to spark students' excitement about the pursuit of intellectual ideas and public service and to stimulate discussions within the Clark community.

"We at Clark are so fortunate to have alumni and friends of the University like the Steinbrechers, who through their generous gifts make it possible for undergraduate students to pursue fascinating and important research and community service projects," says professor and program director Sharon Krefetz. "The first group of Steinbrecher Fellows are doing terrific projects all over the world that will really make a difference in their lives and in the lives of many, many other people."

Give to the Clark Fund now and help more students like Niluka Gunawardena pursue their intellectual passions while making a difference in the world. Please give today.

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