Professor Emeritus Richard Russell
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Professor Emeritus Richard Russell

Emeritus Professor of Medical Entomology
Phone
+61 4 1997 7084
Professor Emeritus Richard Russell

Richard C. Russell M.Sc., Ph.D., FACTM, was the first Professor of Medical Entomology at The University of Sydney (Faculty of Medicine), and was the Founding Director of the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital.

He was with the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at the University of Sydney from 1970 until its closure in 1987, whereupon he moved to the University Department of Medicine (Western Clinical School at the Westmead Hospital campus), with joint appointment to the School of Public Health at the Camperdown main campus. At Westmead Hospital he established the Department of Medical Entomology in the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research.

He has had experience with all aspects of medical and public health entomology, but his research has been primarily with the biology and ecology of mosquitoes, and their role as pests and vectors of arboviruses and other pathogens (e.g. malarias and filarias), and he has had a long term involvement with quarantine concerns for exotic mosquito species. He has also worked with biting midges, and ticks and mites, and other arthropods of medical and public health concern.

His university teaching programs have been primarily built around the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases, and delivered mainly in postgraduate courses on tropical medicine, and public and environmental health (with communicable and infectious disease streams).

In addition he has provided extramural instruction and training on principles and practice of mosquito population management, including surveillance and control, over almost 40 years to health related personnel associated with mosquito pest and vector control programs in many countries, and for federal and state government and local authorities in all states and territories of Australia.

In his professional capacity, he has travelled widely internationally, visiting universities, research institutes and field control programs. He has worked as a consultant in mosquito-borne disease and mosquito control in all states of Australia, and in 20 countries in the Asian and Pacific regions, and South America (incl. for the World Health Organization WHO, Australian Agency for International Development AusAID, and the French Institut Pasteur).

In 1984, he established the first Australian state-wide mosquito and arbovirus surveillance program for the New South Wales Department of Health, and this remains an annual public health protection program in NSW that has been imitated by other states. He is an advisor on mosquito-borne arbovirus disease and its control to the Australian States and Commonwealth Departments of Health, and has worked for 30 years as a consultant on mosquito population and wetland management for national and state government and municipal authorities, and various industry and private concerns.

Prof Russell is principal author of the 'Encyclopedia of Medical and Veterinary Entomology' (2013), and is the author of the monographs 'Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Disease in Southeastern Australia' (1993) and 'A Colour Photo Atlas of Mosquitoes of Southeastern Australia' (1996). He is a co-author of the 12 volume monograph series 'The Culicidae of the Australasian Region' (1980-1989), as well as 'Mosquito Eradication – The Story of Killing Campto' (2013), and 'A Guide to Mosquitoes of Australia' (2016). He has also published more than 200 scientific papers, has provided more than 200 survey and commercial technical reports, and has presented more than 180 papers at scientific meetings in Australia and many countries internationally.

He has received Fellowships from the World Health Organization (1977), the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (1987) and the University of California, Berkeley (2003).

In 2009 he received the ‘Distinguished Achievement Award’ for “Outstanding Accomplishment in Vector Ecology” from the International Society for Vector Ecology. He has served as a subject editor for the 'Journal of Medical Entomology', and on the editorial boards for 'Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases' and the 'Australian Journal of Entomology'. He has been the Australian delegate to the Board of Trustees of the 'International Federation for Tropical Medicine', and in 2012 was awarded Life Membership of the 'Mosquito Control Association of Australia'.

He retired in 2013, and is now Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, and at the Westmead Clinical School. He remains active in research and with advisory/consultancy roles.

e-mail: richard.russell@sydney.edu.au

Infection and Immunological Conditions, Healthy Ageing, Lifespan

Publications

Books

  • Webb, C., Doggett, S., Russell, R. (2016). A Guide to Mosquitoes in Australia. Clayton South: CSIRO Publishing. [More Information]
  • Russell, R., Otranto, D., Wall, R. (2013). Encyclopedia of Medical and Veterinary Entomology. United Kingdom: CABI Publishing.

Book Chapters

  • Russell, R. (2019). Arthropods: arthropod-borne diseases; ectoparasitic infections; allergy. In Michael R. Barer, Will Irving, Andrew Swann, and Nelun Perera (Eds.), Medical Microbiology, (pp. 630-638). United Kingdom: Elsevier Inc.
  • Russell, R., Dowler, H., Gardner, J., Gilbert, S., Stone, M. (2013). Reflections on a successful eradication programme. In Brian H Kay and Richard C Russell (Eds.), Mosquito Eradication: The Story of Killing Campto, (pp. 245-256). Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing.
  • Russell, R. (2010). "Dramas" Down-Under: Changes and Challenges in Australia. In Peter W Atkinson (Eds.), Vector Biology, Ecology and Control, (pp. 81-96). Dordrecht: Springer.

Journals

  • Geary, M., Russell, R., Moerkerken, L., Hassan, A., Doggett, S. (2021). 30 years of samples submitted to an Australian Medical Entomology Department. Austral Entomology, 60(1), 172-197. [More Information]
  • Mullens, B., Metzger, M., Gerry, A., Russell, R., Dhillon, M. (2021). A Celebration of the Career of Dr. William E. Walton: September 1, 1956 - October 18, 2020. Journal of Vector Ecology, 46(1), 2-11. [More Information]
  • Grout, A., Russell, R. (2021). Aircraft disinsection: what is the usefulness as a public health measure? Journal of Travel Medicine, 28(2), 1-10. [More Information]

2021

  • Geary, M., Russell, R., Moerkerken, L., Hassan, A., Doggett, S. (2021). 30 years of samples submitted to an Australian Medical Entomology Department. Austral Entomology, 60(1), 172-197. [More Information]
  • Mullens, B., Metzger, M., Gerry, A., Russell, R., Dhillon, M. (2021). A Celebration of the Career of Dr. William E. Walton: September 1, 1956 - October 18, 2020. Journal of Vector Ecology, 46(1), 2-11. [More Information]
  • Grout, A., Russell, R. (2021). Aircraft disinsection: what is the usefulness as a public health measure? Journal of Travel Medicine, 28(2), 1-10. [More Information]

2020

  • Johnson, P., Russell, R. (2020). Description of the fourth-instar larva of Coquillettidia linealis (Diptera: Culicidae). Austral Entomology, 59(1), 119-126. [More Information]

2019

  • Russell, R. (2019). Arthropods: arthropod-borne diseases; ectoparasitic infections; allergy. In Michael R. Barer, Will Irving, Andrew Swann, and Nelun Perera (Eds.), Medical Microbiology, (pp. 630-638). United Kingdom: Elsevier Inc.
  • Johnson, P., Russell, R. (2019). Colonization of Coquillettidia linealis (Skuse) with reference to other Coquillettidia and Mansonia species. Journal of Vector Ecology, 44(1), 130-137. [More Information]
  • Webb, C., Russell, R. (2019). Dispersal of the Mosquito Aedes vigilax (Diptera: Culicidae) From Urban Estuarine Wetlands in Sydney, Australia. Journal of Medical Entomology, 56(5), 1290-1295. [More Information]

2017

  • Muzari, O., Devine, G., Davis, J., Crunkhorn, B., van den Hurk, A., Whelan, P., Russell, R., Walker, J., Horne, P., Ehlers, G., et al (2017). Holding back the tiger: Successful control program protects Australia from Aedes albopictus expansion. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 11(2), 1-17. [More Information]

2016

  • Webb, C., Doggett, S., Russell, R. (2016). A Guide to Mosquitoes in Australia. Clayton South: CSIRO Publishing. [More Information]
  • van den Hurk, A., Nicholson, J., Beebe, N., Davis, J., Muzari, O., Russell, R., Devine, G., Ritchie, S. (2016). Ten years of the Tiger: Aedes albopictus presence in Australia since its discovery in the Torres Strait in 2005. One Health, 2, 19-24. [More Information]
  • Chambers, E., Bossin, H., Ritchie, S., Russell, R., Dobson, S. (2016). The impact of insecticide-treated cloth targets on the survival of Stegomyia polynesiensis (=Aedes polynesiensis) under laboratory and semi-field conditions in French Polynesia. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 30(3), 247-252. [More Information]

2015

  • Lilly, D., Zalucki, M., Orton, C., Russell, R., Webb, C., Doggett, S. (2015). Confirmation of insecticide resistance in Cimex lectularius Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in Australia. Austral Entomology, 54(1), 96-99. [More Information]
  • Nicholson, J., Ritchie, S., Russell, R., Webb, C., Cook, A., Zalucki, M., Williams, C., Ward, P., van den Hurk, A. (2015). Effects of cohabitation on the population performance and survivorship of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus and the resident mosquito Aedes notoscriptus (diptera: Culicidae) in Australia. Journal of Medical Entomology, 52(3), 375-385. [More Information]

2014

  • Nicholson, J., Ritchie, S., Russell, R., Zalucki, M., van den Hurk, A. (2014). Ability for Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) to Survive at the Climatic Limits of Its Potential Range in Eastern Australia. Journal of Medical Entomology, 51(5), 948-957. [More Information]
  • Coffey, L., Page, B., Greninger, A., Herring, B., Russell, R., Doggett, S., Haniotis, J., Wang, C., Deng, X., Delwart, E. (2014). Enhanced arbovirus surveillance with deep sequencing: Identification of novel rhabdoviruses and bunyaviruses in Australian mosquitoes. Virology, 448, 146-158. [More Information]

2013

  • Kassim, N., Webb, C., Wang, Q., Russell, R. (2013). Australian distribution, genetic status and seasonal abundance of the exotic mosquito Culex molestus (Forskal) (Diptera: Culicidae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 52(3), 185-198. [More Information]
  • Russell, R., Otranto, D., Wall, R. (2013). Encyclopedia of Medical and Veterinary Entomology. United Kingdom: CABI Publishing.
  • Chambers, E., Bossin, H., Ritchie, S., Russell, R., Dobson, S. (2013). Landing response of Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis mosquitoes to coloured targets. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 27, 332-338. [More Information]

2012

  • Russell, R. (2012). A review of the status and significance of the species within the Culex pipiens group in Australia. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 28(4 Suppl), 24-27. [More Information]
  • Doggett, S., Dwyer, D., Fernandez Penas, P., Russell, R. (2012). Bed Bugs: Clinical Relevance and Control Options. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 25(1), 164-192. [More Information]
  • Frost, M., Zhang, J., Edmonds, J., Prow, N., Gu, X., Davis, R., Hornitzky, C., Edla Arzey, K., Finlaison, D., Hick, P., Doggett, S., Haniotis, J., Russell, R., et al (2012). Characterization of Virulent West Nile Virus Kunjin Strain, Australia, 2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 18(5), 792-800. [More Information]

2011

  • Webb, C., Russell, R. (2011). Advice to travelers on topical insect repellent use against dengue mosquitoes in far North Queensland, Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine, 18(4), 282-283. [More Information]
  • Doggett, S., Orton, C., Lilly, D., Russell, R. (2011). Bed bugs: the Australian response. Insects, 2(2), 96-111. [More Information]
  • Webb, C., Russell, R. (2011). Do wrist bands impregnated with botanical extracts assist in repelling mosquitoes? General and Applied Entomology, 40, 1-5.

2010

  • Russell, R. (2010). "Dramas" Down-Under: Changes and Challenges in Australia. In Peter W Atkinson (Eds.), Vector Biology, Ecology and Control, (pp. 81-96). Dordrecht: Springer.
  • Macdonald, J., Poidinger, M., Mackenzie, J., Russell, R., Doggett, S., Broom, A., Phillips, D., Potamski, J., Gard, G., Whelan, P., et al (2010). Molecular Phylogeny of Edge Hill Virus Supports its Position in the Yellow Fever Virus Group and Identifies a New Genetic Variant. Evolutionary Bioinformatics, 6, 91-96. [More Information]
  • Williams, C., Bader, C., Kearney, M., Ritchie, S., Russell, R. (2010). The Extinction of Dengue through Natural Vulnerability of Its Vectors. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4(12), 922-1-922-7. [More Information]

2009

  • Webb, C., Russell, R. (2009). A laboratory investigation of the mosquito control potential of the monomolecular film Aquatain mosquito formula against immature stages of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 25(1), 106-109. [More Information]
  • Ritchie, S., Rapley, L., Williams, C., Johnson, P., Larkman, M., Silcock, R., Long, S., Russell, R. (2009). A lethal ovitrap-based mass trapping scheme for dengue control in Australia: I. Public acceptability and performance of lethal ovitraps. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 23(4), 295-302. [More Information]
  • Rapley, L., Johnson, P., Williams, C., Silcock, R., Larkman, M., Long, S., Russell, R., Ritchie, S. (2009). A lethal ovitrap-based mass trapping scheme for dengue control in Australia: II. Impact on populations of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 23(4), 303-316. [More Information]

2008

  • Cashman, P., Hueston, L., Durrheim, D., Massey, P., Doggett, S., Russell, R. (2008). Barmah Forest virus serology; implications for diagnosis and public health action. Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report, 32(2), 263-266. [More Information]
  • Ewald, B., Webb, C., Durrheim, D., Russell, R. (2008). Is there a risk of malaria transmission in NSW? NSW Public Health Bulletin, 19(7-8), 127-131. [More Information]
  • Webb, C., Russell, R. (2008). Mosquitoes of Centennial Park, Sydney. General and Applied Entomology, 37(1), 31-33.

2007

  • Hemmerter, S., Slapeta, J., van den Hurk, A., Cooper, R., Whelan, P., Russell, R., Johansen, C., Beebe, N. (2007). A curious coincidence: mosquito biodiversity and the limits of the Japanese encephalitis virus in Australasia. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7(100), 1-11. [More Information]
  • Williams, C., Long, S., Webb, C., Bitzhenner, M., Geier, M., Russell, R., Ritchie, S. (2007). Aedes aegypti population sampling using BG-Sentinel traps in north Queensland Australia: statistical considerations for trap deployment and sampling strategy. Journal of Medical Entomology, 44(2), 345-350. [More Information]
  • Craig, A., Hall, G., Russell, R. (2007). Climate change and infectious diseases. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 18, 243-244.

2006

  • Ritchie, S., Moore, P., Carruthers, M., Williams, C., Montgomery, B., Foley, P., Ahboo, S., van den Hurk, A., Lindsay, M., Cooper, B., Russell, R., et al (2006). Discovery of a widespread infestation of Aedes albopictus in the Torres Strait, Australia. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 22(3), 358-365. [More Information]
  • Doggett, S., geary, M., Russell, R. (2006). Encasing mattresses in black plastic will not provide thermal control of bed bugs, Cimex spp. (Hemiptera : Cimicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 99(6), 2132-2135. [More Information]
  • Williams, C., Long, S., Russell, R., Ritchie, S. (2006). Field efficacy of the BG-Sentinel compared with CDC Backpack Aspirators and CO2-baited EVS traps for collection of adult Aedes aegypti in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 22(2), 296-300. [More Information]

2005

  • Willems, K., Webb, C., Russell, R. (2005). A comparison of mosquito predation by the fish Pseudomugil signifier Kner and Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) in laboratory trials. Journal of Vector Ecology, 30(1), 87-90. [More Information]
  • Russell, R., Williams, C., Suthers, R., Ritchie, S. (2005). Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus--a dengue threat for southern Australia? Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report, 29(3), 296-298. [More Information]
  • Russell, R., Webb, C., Davies, N. (2005). Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes polynesiensis marks (Diptera : culicidae) in Moorea, French Polynesia: A study of adult population structures and pathogen (Wuchereria bancrofti and Dirofilaria immitis) infection rates to indicate regional and seasonal epidem. Journal of Medical Entomology, 42(6), 1045-1056.

2004

  • Saleh, S., Poidinger, M., Mackenzie, J., Broom, A., Lindsay, M., Russell, R., Cloonan, M., Calisher, C., Burgess, G., Hall, R. (2004). Antigenic And Genetic Typing Of Whataroa Viruses In Australia. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 71(3), 262-267.
  • Balit, C., Geary, M., Russell, R., Isbister, G. (2004). Clinical Effects Of Exposure To The White-Stemmed Gum Moth (Chelepteryx Collesi). EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia, 16(1), 74-81. [More Information]
  • Geary, M., Russell, R. (2004). Fly Larvae For Wound Management: A Maggot Makeover. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 15(11-12), 218-9.

2003

  • Ritchie, S., Long, S., Hart, A., Webb, C., Russell, R. (2003). An adulticidal sticky ovitrap for sampling container-breeding mosquitoes. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 19(3), 235-242.
  • Balit, C., geary, M., Russell, R., Isbister, G. (2003). Prospective study of definite caterpillar exposures. Toxicon, 42(6), 657-662. [More Information]

2002

  • Russell, R. (2002). Ross River Virus: Ecology and Distribution. Annual Review of Entomology, 47, 1-31. [More Information]

2001

  • Russell, R., Doggett, S., Clancy, J., Haniotis, J., Patsouris, K., Hueston, L., Marchetti, M., Dwyer, D. (2001). Arbovirus and vector surveillance in NSW, 1997-2000. Arbovirus Research in Australia, 8, 304-313.
  • Doggett, S., Klowden, M., Russell, R. (2001). Are vector competence experiments competent vector experiments? Arbovirus Research in Australia, 87, 217-219.
  • Russell, R. (2001). Constructed wetlands in Australia : concerns and constraints, compromises and complements for effective mosquito management. Arbovirus Research in Australia, 3, 1-8.

Selected Grants

2002

  • Area Health Service contributions to research only staff, Harris D, Russell R, Sydney South West Area Health Service/Contributions to research staff