Degrees

Keywords

 Agronomist, GIS, Remote sensing, biodiversity, vector borne diseases, malaria, decision support system, environmental data management, disaster risk assessment, monitoring and evaluation, developing countries

Research activities

Valérie is an agronomist who specializes in the analysis and management of environmental information for decision making and research, particularly in the fields of agriculture, vector-borne disease, disaster risk assessment and ecology. She aims to make environmental data and remote sensing products available to non specialists and to enable their use in decision making with the support of decision support tools. These include database, metadatabase and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with a user-friendly interface designed to answer the specific needs of the end user. Recent work includes malaria control at local level in Mali, environmental data management at institutional level in Danube Delta National Institute of Romania, and  the Lake Tanganyika biodiversity management system. Valérie also uses environmental information to map the distribution of vector-borne diseases (e.g. malaria, loa loa , filariasis, kala-azar) and  to assess disaster risk at global level for the strategic orientation of disaster reduction programs of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO). Native French speaker with fluent English and Spanish.
 

Current research activities

1. Spatial temporal impact of environmental factors on malaria transmission dynamics (phD)

The initiative of this work comes from the Institute of Tropical Medicine from Antwerpen who is partner in this research project. The main objective is to identify the environmental determinants, landscape structures, land managements and rural activities susceptible to induce variations in malaria transmission. The analysis concentrate on South East Asia: Influence of landscape fragmentation and human activities on anopheles species composition and consequences on vectorial status of these species.

2. Dynamic predictive mapping using multi-sensor data fusion – demonstration for malaria vector habitat (STEREO II project)

This project aims at developing data fusion and downscaling techniques to combine coarse up-to-date freely available satellite images with high resolution costly images which are not up-to-date. In order to assess the performances of the proposed methods of dynamic predictive mapping, the challenging case of the fast pace changing habitat for malaria vector in South East Asia has been selected. Relevance of various predictors in describing suitable habitat will be tested on existing mosquito collections compiled by the MALVECASIA network. The potentiality for dynamic predictive mapping of malaria vector habitat in SE Asia will be assessed.

Recent publications

• Obsomer V., Multi-scale environmental analysis and prediction for insects vector of disease : application to malaria vectors of Southeast Asia, phD Thesis , 2010
• Defourny Pierre, Bontemps Sophie, Obsomer Valérie, Van Bogaert Eric, Arino Olivier, et al , Accuracy assessment of Global Land Cover Maps - lessons learnt from Globcover and Globcorine experiences, 2010
• Fasbender Dominique, Obsomer Valérie, Bogaert Patrick, Defourny Pierre (2009). Updating Scarce High Resolution Images with Time Series of Coarser Images: a Bayesian Data Fusion Solution, In: Sensor and Data Fusion, Book edited by Nada Milisavljevic (Ed.), ISBN: 978-3-902613-52-3, I-Tech Education and Publishing,  p. 245-262
• Van Bortel W, Trung HD, Thuan le K, Sochantha T, Socheat D, Sumrandee C, Baimai V, Keokenchanh K, Samlane P, Roelants P, Denis L, Verhaeghen K, Obsomer V, Coosemans M. The insecticide resistance status of malaria vectors in the Mekong region. Malaria Journal. 2008 Jun 5;7:102
• Obsomer Valérie, Van Bortel W., Verhaeghen K., Thuan L.K., Trung H.D., Phompida S., Keokenchanh K., Socheat D., Tho S., Defourny Pierre, Coosemans Marc, Environmental factors and malaria vectors in South East Asia : from data integration to specific analysis, abstract in ITM Colloquium: Malaria control in the Mekong Region: challenges and opportunities, 2007 Dec. 3-5 Hanoi, Vietnam
• Diggle, P.J., Thomson, M.C., Christensen, O.F, Rowlingson, B., , Obsomer, V., Gardon, J., Wanji, S., Takougang, I, Enyong, P., Kamgno, J., Remme, J.H., Boussinesq, M., & Molyneux, D.H. Spatial modelling and prediction of Loa loa risk: decision making under uncertainty. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 2007 Sep;101(6):499-509.
• Fasbender D., Radoux, J., Obsomer, V., Bogaert, P., Defourny, P. Bayesian Data Fusion: Spatial and Temporal applications. Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on the Analysis of Multitemporal Remote Sensing Images, MULTITEMP, Leuven. July, 2007.
• Obsomer, V., Defourny, P., Coosemans, M. Impact of Environmental Factors and Landscape Components on Malaria Vectors in South East Asia. Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium of Remote Sensing of the Environment, ISRSE, June 2007.
• Obsomer, V., Defourny P., Coosemans M. The Anopheles dirus complex: spatial distribution and environmental drivers. Malaria Journal (6)26. 2007
• Kelly-Hope LA, Diggle PJ, Rowlingson BS, Gyapong JO, Kyelem D, Coleman M, Thomson MC, Obsomer V, Lindsay SW, Hemingway J, Molyneux DH. Short communication: Negative spatial association between lymphatic filariasis and malaria in West Africa. Tropical Medicine and International Health 11:129-35. 2006
• Erhart A, Ngo DT, Phan VK, Ta TT, Van Overmeir C, Speybroeck N, Obsomer V, Le XH, Le KT, Coosemans M, D'alessandro U. Epidemiology of forest malaria in central Vietnam: a large scale cross-sectional survey. Malaria Journal 4:58. 2005.
• Thomson M.C., Obsomer, V., Kamgno.J, Gardon J, Wanji S, Takougang I, Enyong P, Remme JH, Molyneux D.H., Boussinesq M. Mapping the distribution of Loa loa in Cameroon in support of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control. Filaria Journal 3(1):7. 2004.
• Elnaiem, D. A., Schorscher, J., Bundal, A., Obsomer, V., Osman M.E. , Mekkawi, A.M., Hassan, M.M., Connor, S., Ashford, R.W., & Thomson, M. Risk mapping of visceral leishmanisis: The role of local variation in rainfall and altitude on presence and incidence of kala-azar in eastern Sudan. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2003 Jan;68(1):10-7.
• Sherchand,J.B., Obsomer, V., Thakur, G.D., Hommel, M. Mapping of filariasis in Nepal. Filaria Journal, vol2:7, 19.03.2003.
• Obsomer, V., Boussinesq M., Kamgno J., Mayaux P., connor S.J., Molyneux D.H., Thomson M.C. Use of Geographical Information Systems and Remote sensing technologies in the mapping of Loa loa. Poster for the Research in progress meeting of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2001.
• Thomson, M.C., Obsomer, V., Dunne, M., Connor, S.J., and Molyneux, D.H. Satellite mapping of Loa loa prevalence in relation to ivermectin use in west and central Africa. The lancet, 356(9235): 1077-78, 2000.
  

MSC Agronomist with 10 year international experience in GIS, health and the environment

Environmetry & Geomatics Unit from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in collaboration with the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp), Belgium. April 2006 to currently 

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: Predictive mapping using multi-sensor fusion techniques -demonstration for malaria vector habitat. DYNMAP project funded by the Belgian Sciences Policy Office (BELSPO/ STEREO II).
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: design of proposals for international calls, administrative management

Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp) in collaboration with the Environmetry & Geomatics Unit from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). November 2003 to currently

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: (January 2004 – current): Spatio-temporal impact of environmental factors on malaria transmission dynamics. PhD project in finalisation phase.
• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT: (November 2003 to March 2006) Mapping and spatial analysis of anopheles mosquito populations of South East Asia in the framework of insecticide resistance study for malaria vector anopheles. Creation and design of a geographical data management system. Integration of a metadatabase, various databases and a GIS to simplify geographical data visualisation for non specialised users. Installation of the system in natianl malaria centers of Lao and Cambodia. Ttraining in GIS adapted to entomologist and epidemiologists from the centres. MALVECASIA project funded by the European Union (EU / INCO-dev). 

SHER engineering company for the European Commission humanitarian aid office (ECHO-EU). June to October 2003

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Evaluation of ECHO strategic orientation in terms of disasters reduction (flooding, drought, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, war…). Identification of adapted indicators and listing of priority countries (EU/ECHO).

AGRIFOR Consult. April to June 2003

• PROJECT MANAGER: expert selection, projects tendering for European project in the agriculture field and east European countries adhesion (EU/SAPPARD).         

International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Columbia University, New York, USA. June to November 2002

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: Strengthening of GIS resources at the institute prior to the creation of the health application department (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY).                                                                                   

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). United Kingdom (UK). March to April 2002

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Spatial analysis and distribution of the mosquito borne disease lymphatic filariasis in Nepal and West Africa (LSTM).

Danube Delta National Institute (DDNI), Roumania. January to March 2002 and January to March 2003

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Design of a metadatabase to catalogue the data of Danube Delta National Institute and design of visualisation tool to facilitate map production and analysis of GIS and non GIS data. Support to the integrated monitoring system (IMS) for species, biodiversity and pollution indicators by the design of adapted databases integrated in the GIS system. Based on software already present in the institute and GIS training for non-specialised users. Funded by European aid programs for East European countries. (EU/PHARE).                                                 

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). UK. September to December 2001

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: GIS and remote sensing for mapping and prediction of insect-borne diseases (mosquito or fly): malaria, loiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis. Probability risk mapping. GIS training in Kenya for national health centers for filariasis control in Africa.  Use of the GIS software Health Mapper created by the World Health organisation (WHO).

Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, England, UK.

SENIOR SCIENTIST – GIS specialist. June 1998 to August 2001

• Design of an Early warning system for malaria control at local level in Mali. Training of a Malian epidemiologist from the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC) in design of decision support systems according to the specific needs identified in the district of Niono. Installation in country. DFID (UK cooperation agency) FUNDED.
• Feasability study for an Early Warning System for Malaria Control in Botswana. Use of environmental data to provide valuable indicators to improve disease monitoring and prediction. Identification of the specific needs for malaria control. For the ministry of health in Botswana. DFID FUNDED
• Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project. Development of an Environmental Information System (TANGIS) for the project created to help the 70 scientific researchers of the project in analysing and sharing data, and decision makers in design of strategic action plans to reduce the effects of pollution on the biodiversity of the lake. Site web http://www.ltbp.org/. GIS training for non specialised staff from the ministries of environment of Congo, Burundi, Zambia and Tanzania (ONU) UNDP/UNEP FUNDED
• Use of GIS and remote sensing for analysis of environmental determinant for the distribution of vector-borne diseases: loa loa, filariasis, onchocerciasis, kala-azar,... Model of Loa Loa distribution for APOC (African Program for Onchocerciasis Control). WHO FUNDED.
• Training in GIS and decision support system design (Access, Arcview). GIS theory, application. Customized manuals. Design of one day or one week courses for different types of users. (Climatologists, health specialists, ecologists, project managers, decision makers...

Biography

Degrees

Research

Keywords

 Agronomist, GIS, Remote sensing, biodiversity, vector borne diseases, malaria, decision support system, environmental data management, disaster risk assessment, monitoring and evaluation, developing countries

Research activities

Valérie is an agronomist who specializes in the analysis and management of environmental information for decision making and research, particularly in the fields of agriculture, vector-borne disease, disaster risk assessment and ecology. She aims to make environmental data and remote sensing products available to non specialists and to enable their use in decision making with the support of decision support tools. These include database, metadatabase and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with a user-friendly interface designed to answer the specific needs of the end user. Recent work includes malaria control at local level in Mali, environmental data management at institutional level in Danube Delta National Institute of Romania, and  the Lake Tanganyika biodiversity management system. Valérie also uses environmental information to map the distribution of vector-borne diseases (e.g. malaria, loa loa , filariasis, kala-azar) and  to assess disaster risk at global level for the strategic orientation of disaster reduction programs of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO). Native French speaker with fluent English and Spanish.
 

Current research activities

1. Spatial temporal impact of environmental factors on malaria transmission dynamics (phD)

The initiative of this work comes from the Institute of Tropical Medicine from Antwerpen who is partner in this research project. The main objective is to identify the environmental determinants, landscape structures, land managements and rural activities susceptible to induce variations in malaria transmission. The analysis concentrate on South East Asia: Influence of landscape fragmentation and human activities on anopheles species composition and consequences on vectorial status of these species.

2. Dynamic predictive mapping using multi-sensor data fusion – demonstration for malaria vector habitat (STEREO II project)

This project aims at developing data fusion and downscaling techniques to combine coarse up-to-date freely available satellite images with high resolution costly images which are not up-to-date. In order to assess the performances of the proposed methods of dynamic predictive mapping, the challenging case of the fast pace changing habitat for malaria vector in South East Asia has been selected. Relevance of various predictors in describing suitable habitat will be tested on existing mosquito collections compiled by the MALVECASIA network. The potentiality for dynamic predictive mapping of malaria vector habitat in SE Asia will be assessed.

Recent publications

• Obsomer V., Multi-scale environmental analysis and prediction for insects vector of disease : application to malaria vectors of Southeast Asia, phD Thesis , 2010
• Defourny Pierre, Bontemps Sophie, Obsomer Valérie, Van Bogaert Eric, Arino Olivier, et al , Accuracy assessment of Global Land Cover Maps - lessons learnt from Globcover and Globcorine experiences, 2010
• Fasbender Dominique, Obsomer Valérie, Bogaert Patrick, Defourny Pierre (2009). Updating Scarce High Resolution Images with Time Series of Coarser Images: a Bayesian Data Fusion Solution, In: Sensor and Data Fusion, Book edited by Nada Milisavljevic (Ed.), ISBN: 978-3-902613-52-3, I-Tech Education and Publishing,  p. 245-262
• Van Bortel W, Trung HD, Thuan le K, Sochantha T, Socheat D, Sumrandee C, Baimai V, Keokenchanh K, Samlane P, Roelants P, Denis L, Verhaeghen K, Obsomer V, Coosemans M. The insecticide resistance status of malaria vectors in the Mekong region. Malaria Journal. 2008 Jun 5;7:102
• Obsomer Valérie, Van Bortel W., Verhaeghen K., Thuan L.K., Trung H.D., Phompida S., Keokenchanh K., Socheat D., Tho S., Defourny Pierre, Coosemans Marc, Environmental factors and malaria vectors in South East Asia : from data integration to specific analysis, abstract in ITM Colloquium: Malaria control in the Mekong Region: challenges and opportunities, 2007 Dec. 3-5 Hanoi, Vietnam
• Diggle, P.J., Thomson, M.C., Christensen, O.F, Rowlingson, B., , Obsomer, V., Gardon, J., Wanji, S., Takougang, I, Enyong, P., Kamgno, J., Remme, J.H., Boussinesq, M., & Molyneux, D.H. Spatial modelling and prediction of Loa loa risk: decision making under uncertainty. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 2007 Sep;101(6):499-509.
• Fasbender D., Radoux, J., Obsomer, V., Bogaert, P., Defourny, P. Bayesian Data Fusion: Spatial and Temporal applications. Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on the Analysis of Multitemporal Remote Sensing Images, MULTITEMP, Leuven. July, 2007.
• Obsomer, V., Defourny, P., Coosemans, M. Impact of Environmental Factors and Landscape Components on Malaria Vectors in South East Asia. Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium of Remote Sensing of the Environment, ISRSE, June 2007.
• Obsomer, V., Defourny P., Coosemans M. The Anopheles dirus complex: spatial distribution and environmental drivers. Malaria Journal (6)26. 2007
• Kelly-Hope LA, Diggle PJ, Rowlingson BS, Gyapong JO, Kyelem D, Coleman M, Thomson MC, Obsomer V, Lindsay SW, Hemingway J, Molyneux DH. Short communication: Negative spatial association between lymphatic filariasis and malaria in West Africa. Tropical Medicine and International Health 11:129-35. 2006
• Erhart A, Ngo DT, Phan VK, Ta TT, Van Overmeir C, Speybroeck N, Obsomer V, Le XH, Le KT, Coosemans M, D'alessandro U. Epidemiology of forest malaria in central Vietnam: a large scale cross-sectional survey. Malaria Journal 4:58. 2005.
• Thomson M.C., Obsomer, V., Kamgno.J, Gardon J, Wanji S, Takougang I, Enyong P, Remme JH, Molyneux D.H., Boussinesq M. Mapping the distribution of Loa loa in Cameroon in support of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control. Filaria Journal 3(1):7. 2004.
• Elnaiem, D. A., Schorscher, J., Bundal, A., Obsomer, V., Osman M.E. , Mekkawi, A.M., Hassan, M.M., Connor, S., Ashford, R.W., & Thomson, M. Risk mapping of visceral leishmanisis: The role of local variation in rainfall and altitude on presence and incidence of kala-azar in eastern Sudan. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2003 Jan;68(1):10-7.
• Sherchand,J.B., Obsomer, V., Thakur, G.D., Hommel, M. Mapping of filariasis in Nepal. Filaria Journal, vol2:7, 19.03.2003.
• Obsomer, V., Boussinesq M., Kamgno J., Mayaux P., connor S.J., Molyneux D.H., Thomson M.C. Use of Geographical Information Systems and Remote sensing technologies in the mapping of Loa loa. Poster for the Research in progress meeting of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2001.
• Thomson, M.C., Obsomer, V., Dunne, M., Connor, S.J., and Molyneux, D.H. Satellite mapping of Loa loa prevalence in relation to ivermectin use in west and central Africa. The lancet, 356(9235): 1077-78, 2000.
  

CURRICULUM VITAE

MSC Agronomist with 10 year international experience in GIS, health and the environment

Environmetry & Geomatics Unit from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in collaboration with the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp), Belgium. April 2006 to currently 

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: Predictive mapping using multi-sensor fusion techniques -demonstration for malaria vector habitat. DYNMAP project funded by the Belgian Sciences Policy Office (BELSPO/ STEREO II).
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: design of proposals for international calls, administrative management

Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp) in collaboration with the Environmetry & Geomatics Unit from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). November 2003 to currently

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: (January 2004 – current): Spatio-temporal impact of environmental factors on malaria transmission dynamics. PhD project in finalisation phase.
• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT: (November 2003 to March 2006) Mapping and spatial analysis of anopheles mosquito populations of South East Asia in the framework of insecticide resistance study for malaria vector anopheles. Creation and design of a geographical data management system. Integration of a metadatabase, various databases and a GIS to simplify geographical data visualisation for non specialised users. Installation of the system in natianl malaria centers of Lao and Cambodia. Ttraining in GIS adapted to entomologist and epidemiologists from the centres. MALVECASIA project funded by the European Union (EU / INCO-dev). 

SHER engineering company for the European Commission humanitarian aid office (ECHO-EU). June to October 2003

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Evaluation of ECHO strategic orientation in terms of disasters reduction (flooding, drought, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, war…). Identification of adapted indicators and listing of priority countries (EU/ECHO).

AGRIFOR Consult. April to June 2003

• PROJECT MANAGER: expert selection, projects tendering for European project in the agriculture field and east European countries adhesion (EU/SAPPARD).         

International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Columbia University, New York, USA. June to November 2002

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: Strengthening of GIS resources at the institute prior to the creation of the health application department (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY).                                                                                   

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). United Kingdom (UK). March to April 2002

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Spatial analysis and distribution of the mosquito borne disease lymphatic filariasis in Nepal and West Africa (LSTM).

Danube Delta National Institute (DDNI), Roumania. January to March 2002 and January to March 2003

• SCIENTIFIC EXPERT (CONSULTANT): Design of a metadatabase to catalogue the data of Danube Delta National Institute and design of visualisation tool to facilitate map production and analysis of GIS and non GIS data. Support to the integrated monitoring system (IMS) for species, biodiversity and pollution indicators by the design of adapted databases integrated in the GIS system. Based on software already present in the institute and GIS training for non-specialised users. Funded by European aid programs for East European countries. (EU/PHARE).                                                 

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). UK. September to December 2001

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER: GIS and remote sensing for mapping and prediction of insect-borne diseases (mosquito or fly): malaria, loiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis. Probability risk mapping. GIS training in Kenya for national health centers for filariasis control in Africa.  Use of the GIS software Health Mapper created by the World Health organisation (WHO).

Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, England, UK.

SENIOR SCIENTIST – GIS specialist. June 1998 to August 2001

• Design of an Early warning system for malaria control at local level in Mali. Training of a Malian epidemiologist from the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC) in design of decision support systems according to the specific needs identified in the district of Niono. Installation in country. DFID (UK cooperation agency) FUNDED.
• Feasability study for an Early Warning System for Malaria Control in Botswana. Use of environmental data to provide valuable indicators to improve disease monitoring and prediction. Identification of the specific needs for malaria control. For the ministry of health in Botswana. DFID FUNDED
• Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project. Development of an Environmental Information System (TANGIS) for the project created to help the 70 scientific researchers of the project in analysing and sharing data, and decision makers in design of strategic action plans to reduce the effects of pollution on the biodiversity of the lake. Site web http://www.ltbp.org/. GIS training for non specialised staff from the ministries of environment of Congo, Burundi, Zambia and Tanzania (ONU) UNDP/UNEP FUNDED
• Use of GIS and remote sensing for analysis of environmental determinant for the distribution of vector-borne diseases: loa loa, filariasis, onchocerciasis, kala-azar,... Model of Loa Loa distribution for APOC (African Program for Onchocerciasis Control). WHO FUNDED.
• Training in GIS and decision support system design (Access, Arcview). GIS theory, application. Customized manuals. Design of one day or one week courses for different types of users. (Climatologists, health specialists, ecologists, project managers, decision makers...