Fredros is currently the director of science at the Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania’s premier health research institution. In this role, he is focused on malaria control and prevention by targeting mosquito vectors. Fredros says his many years of work in the field on malaria have persuaded him that focusing on narrow, technical fixes will not bring the disease under control. “At the moment we have an over-reliance on commodities such as insecticide-treated bed nets, which require frequent replacements and strong user compliance,” he says. “Greater gains can be achieved by more permanent measures such as improved housing, environmental management, better health systems and greater public education.” Fredros has delivered one TED talk and has a number of published articles, but says he believes voices like his need to play a greater role in policy advocacy.
