Training in Geospatial Analysis of Disease Vectors: A Collaborative Workshop in Muguga, Kenya

The workshop “Training in Geospatial Analysis of Disease Vectors” was held from June 1–5, 2015 at the Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) in Muguga, Kenya. Supported by an NIH–Fogarty Institute training grant (PI: Aksoy, Caccone, Murilla) through the Yale School of Public Health, the workshop aimed to strengthen regional capacity in biomedical research—particularly in the geospatial analysis of disease vectors related to tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis. As Kenya’s national center for research and technology development in tsetse and trypanosomiasis control, BRI provided an ideal setting for this intensive training effort.

The workshop introduced participants to a comprehensive set of tools and techniques, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite-based remote sensing, and ecological modeling. Using a suite of open-source software, attendees learned to manipulate GIS datasets and satellite imagery, and to create foundational species habitat models, with a special focus on mapping tsetse fly distributions.

A notable feature of the workshop was its use of a self-contained virtual machine, developed by Giuseppe Amatulli of the Program in Spatial Biodiversity Science & Conservation. This environment housed all necessary software, lecture materials, exercises, and reference files. Students could run the tools on any laptop they brought, and—crucially—take the full software suite home, enabling them to continue practicing and applying geospatial methods in their own institutions.

The workshop was a collaborative achievement of three units within the Yale Institute of Biospheric Studies (YIBS):

• the Molecular Systematics & Conservation Genetics Center,
• the Center for Earth Observation, and
• the Program in Spatial Biodiversity Science & Conservation.

Gisella Caccone, Director of the Molecular Systematics and Conservation Genetics Center, organized the workshop, delivered foundational lectures on trypanosomiasis and tsetse biology, and provided ongoing support to the instructors. Larry Bonneau, of the Center for Earth Observation, taught core concepts in geospatial data, GIS, remote sensing, and GPS. Amatulli contributed extensive instruction on Linux, GDAL, PKTools, R, and spatial modeling techniques—tools central to modern ecological analysis.

Interest in the course was high: over 70 students and researchers from central and eastern Africa applied, and 25 participants were selected based on their potential to benefit most from the training. Throughout the week, students worked intensively to master complex concepts and analytical techniques, and the instructors noted their exceptional dedication.

Participant feedback was strikingly positive. 84% reported that the workshop exceeded their expectations, and 88% found it extremely useful. Many emphasized how the open-source tools would strengthen both their current research and future professional work. Comments highlighted the workshop’s value in improving local capacity in species distribution modeling, vector ecology, and spatial data analysis—skills not widely available in the region.

Some representative student remarks included:

• “Thank you for the opportunity… and please organize more courses!”
• “The knowledge gained will be very helpful to my data analysis in mapping disease incidence in Madagascar.”
• “All vector control operatives in Uganda need this training.”
• “This was a very important training since it enabled us to get training in species distribution modeling—a course not available locally in Kenya.”
• “It’s the best course that I have attended.”
• “I cannot wait to start utilizing the geospatial analysis skills learnt in my work.”
• “Magic!!! The knowledge gained will be useful for my field work and future research.”

By the end of the week, it was clear that the workshop had been a major success. The synergy among the YIBS centers and program, combined with the enthusiasm and effort of the participants, created a powerful training environment whose benefits will extend well beyond the week in Muguga.