Marcus Blagrove

Dr Marcus Blagrove is an integrative virologist at the University of Liverpool, specialising in arbovirus transmission and vector competence. His research combines molecular virology, genomics, field ecology, and machine learning to understand and predict vector-borne disease risk and other emerging viruses.

He established Liverpool’s insectaries and research protocols that now underpin UK vector competence studies, providing the first evidence of arboviral competence in multiple UK mosquito species, including for Usutu virus. His earlier work achieved the first Wolbachia transinfection in Aedes albopictus, fully blocking dengue and chikungunya viruses.

A national leader in arbovirus preparedness, Dr Blagrove advises the UK government on vector-borne risks and leads the UK Vector-Borne Diseases Conference, advancing research and policy on emerging infectious threats.