Introducing: Dr. Alexander Kumar

Dr Alexander Kumar is a British Medical Doctor and NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow specializing in Infectious Diseases based at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and clinical lead for the #ZikaLika team.

Today Alex sets off to tour rural communities far away, to potential research sites, assess clinical cases and need and relating to Zika Virus and other Arboviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquito family.

With an interest in global emerging infections, Alex joined the team on the ground in Brazil immediately after finishing a period of study at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine last week.

“It's been very hard seeing and hearing stories firsthand from mother’s and families whose lives have been affected by Zika virus- now a proven cause of microcephaly. A test that is so reliable and affordable but is not complicated in that it could be performed by a twelve year old, living in a resource limited setting, it’s a potential game changer for doctors and patients worldwide”

 

Alexander Kumar and Mosquito net (Photo by Gilad Gomé)

Driven by the frustration and sadness he felt while working in an Ebola Treatment Centre in West Africa one year ago and brings a wealth of global clinical experience, having lived, worked and travelled through over 80 countries, working on a wide variety of research projects, even spending a year living in Antarctica.

For more information about Alex visit his website .