Dr. Madeleine Thomson’s remarkable career trajectory from field entomologist to global health leader exemplifies how hands-on scientific experience can evolve into transformative policy and research leadership. Her journey demonstrates the power of combining rigorous field work with academic excellence and strategic thinking to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Thomson’s career began with her training as a field entomologist, a foundation that would prove invaluable throughout her subsequent work in climate and health. During her early career, she spent significant time in Africa undertaking operational research to support large-scale health interventions. One of her most notable early projects was her involvement in the national impregnated bednet programme in The Gambia, where she gained firsthand experience in implementing community-based health interventions in challenging environments.
This field experience provided Thomson with crucial insights into the practical realities of public health work in low-resource settings. She learned to understand not just the scientific aspects of disease transmission, but also the social, economic, and logistical challenges that affect intervention success. These early experiences shaped her approach to research, ensuring that her later work would always maintain a practical, implementation-focused perspective.
Thomson’s academic journey took her through some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. She completed her BSc at the University of Sheffield, her MSc at Imperial College London, and her PhD at the University of Liverpool. This strong educational foundation equipped her with the theoretical knowledge and research skills necessary to tackle complex climate-health relationships.
Her transition from field work to research leadership began at Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, where she served as a Senior Research Scientist. In this role, she directed the WHO Collaborating Centre on Malaria Early Warning Systems and other Climate Sensitive Diseases, pioneering innovative approaches to disease prediction and prevention.
The culmination of Thomson’s career evolution came with her appointment as Head of Impacts and Adaptation at Wellcome, one of the world’s most influential health research foundations. In this role, she leads efforts to understand and address climate-sensitive health interventions globally, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries.
Thomson also serves as a Visiting Professor at Lancaster University Medical School, maintaining her connection to academic research and training the next generation of climate-health experts. Her role bridges the worlds of research, policy, and practice, allowing her to translate scientific findings into actionable interventions.
Throughout her career evolution, Thomson has maintained her focus on addressing health challenges in the places where they matter most – among vulnerable populations in resource-limited settings. Her work continues to be guided by the practical insights gained during her early field experiences.
Explore more about Dr. Thomson’s career and current work at https://wellcome.org/about-us/our-people/staff/madeleine-thomson, https://vacsafe.columbia.edu/people/madeleine-thomson, and https://climatehealth.gwu.edu/climate-and-health-seminar-dr-madeleine-thomson-head-climate-impacts-wellcome-trust.