1. A Short term Study abroad programme and collaborative link for Life Sciences established since 2010 Keith the Keele, Squirrel The Brahminy Kite, Barbara? Emeritus Professor of Medical Entomology Richard Ward, Keele University.

2. Universiti Sains Malaysia

3. 2010 cohort

4. Ashley Jordan working on the effects of combining Bacillus thuringiensis and Spinosad, two biological control agents, on the mosquito Aedes aegypti an important vector of Dengue fever. Bukit Jambul Flats a breeding site for this and other mosquitoes. Ashley is now a PhD student working with Dr Catherine Merrick

5. Ashley comments on the experience Malaysia Study Abroad Opportunity 2010 I was given the opportunity to undertake my research project at the Universitii Sains Malaysia (USM). My decision to apply for this study abroad placement resulted in one of the best decisions of my life, as I gained a whole wealth of experience and knowledge both in scientific and cultural aspects.

6. Richard Newton also looked at the two biological agents against the same mosquito to determine the internal pathology of the mosquito larvae caused by the treatment Richard discusses his Electron Microscope results at USM with Ian Aedes larva

7. Hannah Makinson Hannah studied the ectoparasites of feral cats in Penang and over 60% were infested with Felicola subrostratus a Chewing Louse and cause of mange. The Cat Flea Ctenocephalides found on 42% of cats

8. Ian Stokes also carried out a project invloving the potential use of biological control agents. In this case the study covered the use of a parasitic wasp Aprostocetus hagenowii which parasitises the oothecae of the American Cockroach. The study showed that ootheca age had a significant impact on oviposition success. Ian is now a PhD student studying with Prof Chris Exley at Keele University

9. Chris Peachy chose to work on the parasites of chickens. Here he shows off some of his tape worms to Emma and Hannah. The chicken farm at Kampung Tiram The tape worm Raillietina tetragona Ants act as an intermediate host

10. Emma Stone took an interest in aquaculture and carried out a project to determine the prevalence of parasites in wild and cultured cat fish Clarius gariepinus in Penang. Culture fish proved to be uninfected, in contrast to wild Specimens.

11. Aaron Smith Aaron also chose aquaculture and his project involved designing a new experimental diet, 45% protein and 6% lipid, made of Soybean meal and crude palm oil to be fed to Channa striatus, the Chevron Snakehead, over an 8 week period. The new feed proved more cost effective than commercial feed but had poorer quality fillets from the fish.

12. In the 2011 cohort we again had 7 students in Penang of whom 3 were MSc Molecular Parasitology and 4 Undergraduates. Here they are visiting a local seafood restaurant with Prof Zairi and the Malaysian Buddies-a group of local students who welcome you to the University and surroundings. Vaishnavi Prof Zairi Deena Sandip Victoria AngelaLeyla Angel

13. Angel Ma worked on another biological control organism, the Elephant mosquito Toxorhynchites,whose adults are huge and do not feed on blood, but whose larvae are predacious Toxorhynchites larvae will eat large numbers of Aedes mosquito larvae and one famous individual consumed 195 in a period of 12 days. Angels project showed that the presence of up to three elephant mosquito larvae in a pot failed to deter adult female Aedes to oviposit in that container, thus placing her offspring in danger.

14. Angela Cartlidge investigated the relationship between Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus to measure the degree of cross mating taking place in Penang but there appeared to be little evidence of natural cross mating, in contrast to some sites in the USA where there is evidence of population replacement of one species by the other.

15. Vaishnavi worked on the development of a dip stick test by developing a recombinant antigen for the infection of humans with Strongyloides a Nematode, the infection is known as Strongyloidiasis. Hyperinfection in immune compromised patients like those with HIV can be chronic. Diagnosis is difficult and so there is a need for a new diagnostic kit A similar kit has already been developed for Brugian filariasis by the INFORMM lab where Vaishnavi worked

16. Deena also worked on Aedes aegypti and albopictus and was trying to determine if Ae. albopictus is no longer the prime vector of dengue in the Penang area. Her work involved setting ovitraps and mosquito larval identification. Deena and Vaishnavi were Biomedical Science students Leyla worked on identifiying the endoparasites of frogs in Penang and Victoria investigated the succession and range of Dipterous fly maggots in buried rabbit carcasses. Leyla and Victoria were dual Hons Biology and Forensic Science students.

17. In 2012 Andrew Cooke and Joshua Calvert carried out a study on infections in Orang Utangs with Strongyloides worms and potential cures at Orang Utang Island,a charitable project with links to USM attempting to conserve these apes in Malaysia. Andrew bottle feeding one of the young animals The Orang Utang Sanctuary on the island Andrew is now a PhD student At Bristol University studying the transmission of drug resistant parasites found in dung.

18. In 2013 we had a large increase in interest in Malaysian Projects with 19 applicants for 8 places. As a result we were forced to Elaborate the selection process by introducing an interview process to evaluate the applicants Bhavika and Hannah were among this years cohort

19. As were Ben and Abi who got to study the Bird, Lizard and Bat fauna and in some spare time investigate the flora. Crested serpent eagle Using a camera trap

20. BenJoe Abi Ruth Bhavika Harry Natasha Hannah

21. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO DR A KRATZ WHO WAS A JOINT APPLICANT WITH Prof R WARD FOR THE ORIGINAL BRITISH COUNCIL FUNDING ON THE PRIME MINISTERS INITIATIVE 2 WHICH ENABLED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS PROGRAMME IN 2010. ALSO SPECIAL THANKS TO PROFESSOR ZAIRI JAAL HEAD OF THE VECTOR UNIT PENANG FOR HIS ROLE AS CORDINATOR OF THE PROGRAMME. zairi 2014 cohort