Madeleine Thomson Connects Climate Change to Infectious Disease Risks
While much attention is paid to the immediate health dangers of heatwaves, Dr. Madeleine Thomson emphasizes another growing concern: the impact of climate change on infectious diseases. As noted in her Columbia University profile, Thomson has pioneered research on how shifting weather patterns alter the transmission of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika.
In parallel with her insights on Europe’s increasing “tropical nights,” Thomson has explained that warmer, wetter conditions can expand mosquito habitats and extend transmission seasons. Her research is widely available through her ResearchGate publications, which highlight how climate data and modeling tools can be used to forecast outbreaks.
As Head of Climate Impacts and Adaptation at the Wellcome Trust, Thomson has argued for integrating climate services into health decision-making. This means using seasonal climate forecasts to prepare health systems for likely surges in climate-sensitive diseases. Her role bridges academia and policy, ensuring that scientific insights reach governments and NGOs tasked with protecting vulnerable populations.
Thomson’s career trajectory, also documented on Crunchbase, underscores her position as a thought leader in this evolving field. By connecting climate change to infectious disease risks, she continues to stress that the health consequences of climate disruption extend far beyond heat stress.