In this Horse’s Mouth feature, we meet Jeffrey Sumboh (BA, MPH), a pioneering GIS researcher at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana, whose innovative approach is transforming how we understand and combat neglected tropical diseases.
By combining GPS tracking, soil sampling, and metagenomics, Jeffrey and his team mapped infection pathways in a hookworm-endemic community to uncover where and how transmission happens.
His findings challenge traditional assumptions, revealing new helminth species in Ghana and raising critical questions about existing prevention strategies.
More than just a technical achievement, this work empowers communities, supports smarter policy, and brings fresh urgency to the global push for eliminating soil-transmitted helminths by 2030.
With over 3 million data points analyzed, the research underscores the power of technology to reveal hidden patterns—and drive health solutions that are precise, equitable, and effective.
In this Horse’s Mouth feature, Jeffrey shares his journey, unexpected discoveries, and practical insights for researchers and policymakers alike.
This is a must-read for anyone interested in how science, community, and innovation come together to solve real-world health challenges.
This story reveals how GPS and genomics are used to track hookworm transmission, uncover hidden hotspots, and guide smarter disease prevention. It’s science in action—with life-saving potential.
