Yura (Yongra) Ko

Yura (Yongra) Ko

Affiliated to Research
Visiting address: Solnavägen 9, C9, 17165 Solna
Postal address: C1 Mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi, C1 Parasitology and CF Nylén, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am an infectious diseases epidemiologist dedicated to malaria elimination efforts across Africa.

    My work entails frequent travel between the Lake Victoria region of Kenya—where our research site is located—and Sweden. In the field, I collaborate with local staff, collecting data from a cohort study and cluster randomized controlled trial. I manage this data to analyze the impact of interventions and identify malaria risk factors using advanced epidemiological methods such as causal inference and malaria transmission modeling. Additionally, I conduct simulation studies to enhance our research insights.

Teaching

  • PhD course

    1. Course Organizer:
    “Malaria: from Cell to Society – Towards Global Eradication”
    Course Code: K2F6040 (1.5 credits/hec)
    Institution: Karolinska Institutet
    Dates: 30th March – 4th April 2025

    Supervision

    1. Toska Sidorczuk

    Program: Master’s in Global Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2024-25
    Thesis Title: Evaluating Direct and Spillover Effects of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets in Malaria-Endemic Countries in Africa: A Counterfactual Analysis Using Demographic and Health Survey Data

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2026 - 31 December 2029
    In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a major public health challenge exacerbated by the emergence of artemisinin-resistant (ART-R) Plasmodium falciparum, recalling the dark history of a sharp increase in malaria deaths due to the spread of chloroquine-resistant parasites. The effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) is threatened by the spread of insecticide-resistant vectors and inconsistent usage. Urgent actions are required. Insecticide-treated ceiling nets (ITCNs) are novel fixed structural vector control interventions that block the entry of mosquitoes and kill indoor-resting mosquitoes, offering protection to all inhabitants. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of two dual-active-ingredient ITCNs (Olyset® Plus and Interceptor® G2) in reducing malaria in Kagera, Tanzania, a region with medium to intense transmission and emerging ART-R parasites. Using a three-arm cluster-randomized field trial, we aim to assess the impact of ITCNs on parasite prevalence and incidence, entomological inoculation rate, and vector density. We will conduct cost-effectiveness and implementation feasibility assessments to determine intervention scalability. We will assess the physical and chemical integrity of the ITCNs and monitor the genetic alleles associated with drug resistance in parasites and insecticide resistance in vectors over time. Results from this study will provide comprehensive evidence for the evaluation and policy recommendation by WHO.

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