Ruth Shirima is a Research Scientist in the Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences (EHES) department at Ifakara Health Institute, where her work focuses on malaria vector control, specifically exploring alternative interventions for malaria prevention.

She began her career at Ifakara in 2018 as a laboratory volunteer, dedicating two years to working in the lab and gaining experience with various laboratory assays before transitioning to her current role as a research scientist in 2020.

Ruth’s extensive research focuses on investigating insecticide-treated eave ribbons for malaria vector control as well as the use of electrocuting eave tubes to control malaria vectors that feed indoors. Driven by a deep understanding of the role vectors play in disease transmission, Ruth is passionate about studying vector biology and exploring innovative, supplementary interventions that can prevent and eventually eradicate vector-borne diseases. Her goal is to contribute to a world where vector-borne diseases are no longer a threat to humanity.