Dr. Verah Luande

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Verah Nafula Luande is a doctoral student engaged in research on the feasibility of ecosystem restoration to achieve nature-based solutions in the fight against vector-borne disease transmission. She holds a master’s degree in molecular biology and bioinformatics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Nairobi, Kenya, and has worked at the Swedish National Veterinary Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. Her thesis focused on the genetic distinction among Culex mosquito bioforms, specifically Culex pipiens and Culex molestus, in Sweden. Verah has extensive experience in researching vector-borne disease pathogens, primarily concerning arthropod-borne viruses and the ecological drivers associated with their vectors. She gained experience while working at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University and served as a Project Assistant in Henrik Sjödin’s lab in 2020, where she was responsible for data retrieval and analysis regarding the degradation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems and their impact on mosquito populations. In 2023, she was selected as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, where she is investigating the features associated with benign mosquito community compositions in relation to ecological degradation gradients and trends in disease prevalence.

Research Interests

Experience

Doctoral Student

— Present

Umeå University • Umeå, Sweden

Researching feasibility of ecosystem restoration to combat vector-borne disease transmission.

Project Assistant

— Present

Henrik Sjödin’s Lab • Umeå, Sweden

Responsible for data retrieval and analysis regarding ecosystem degradation and mosquito populations.

Requirements for Umeå University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:5.5
Reading
Required:5.5
Writing
Required:5.5
Speaking
Required:5.5
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Writing
Required:20
Total
Required:90
PTE
Overall
Required:62
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in relevant field At least 90 ECTS in the main subject area
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree certificate
  • Transcripts of records
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Letter of Motivation (certain programs)
  • CV (certain programs)
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standard for Master's programs across Social Sciences and Humanities at Umeå. English 6 proficiency is the general rule.