Dr Corrado Minetti

I graduated in biology (zoology and ecology) at the University of Turin, Italy, followed by a Master in medical parasitology and entomology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK. After my PhD in parasite molecular epidemiology at Liverpool University, I did my PostDoc back at LSTM working both in the laboratory and in Ghana on the epidemiology and xenomonitoring of lymphatic filariasis, malaria, and arboviruses. Before joining the OU, I completed a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) training fellowship in public health microbiology at the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge (INSA) in Lisbon. 

Memberships: British Society for Parasitology, Royal Entomological Society, Microbiology Society, Applied Microbiology International, EPIET Alumni Network

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES 

I work on integrating epidemiological, entomological, and molecular (including genomic) data to investigate infectious disease transmission and ecology, more specifically vector-borne pathogens and (re-)emerging public and animal health issues (One Health). 

1. Research topics

1. Characterizing the pathogens (known and potentially emerging) of arthropods and disease vectors using metagenomics and metatrancriptomics, for both surveillance and discovery science.

2. Exploring novel approaches for the field detection of insects, vectors and pathogens, including arthropod saliva or environmental DNA/RNA (eDNA/RNA), for disease epidemiology and surveillance. 

3. Assessing the diversity and adundance of arthropod vectors and their pathogens in mixed urban-rural environments, to understand the impact of urban greenery, animal-human contacts, and environmental change on disease ecology and risk.

The work is in collaboration with the School of Environment, Earth, and Ecosystem Sciences (EEES) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

2. PhD opportunities 

NEW! Applications are open for the 2026/27 intake of the ILESLA Doctoral Training Program between Open University, Oxford and Oxford Brookes. If you are interested in my research topics, I am offering rotations and a path towards a PhD project. Deadline for applications is Thursday 8th January 2026 ad 12 midday (UK time). Contact me for more information and learn about the program and admission process here: https://www.ilesla.ox.ac.uk/

For other opportunities (including doing a self-funded PhD) or research collaborations, contact me via email/Linkedin