Since 2014, the Prize honours the late Odile Bain’s commitment to medical and veterinary parasitology and the spirit of collaboration she fostered among biologists, veterinarians, physicians, and fundamental and applied parasitologists around the world. Odile’s primary expertise was the systematics of filariae, vectors and transmission of filariae, models of filariasis, and the Litomosoides sigmodontis murine model.

 The 2025 edition of the OBMP is awarded to Guangxu Ma and Lucas Sousa-Paula. In this blog, we hear from Lucas about what the prize means to him:

I never dared to dream of receiving such an honor as the Odile Bain Memorial Prize. To me, it is more than recognition—it is a reminder of where I started, of the mentors and colleagues who guided me, and of the importance of research on neglected tropical diseases.

If asked to summarize my career so far, I would say it has been like hiking a path—step by step, in every sense. I started at a very small university, with a very small research budget, and step by step made my way to bigger research centers such as the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil and the National Institutes of Health in the United States.

The Prize-Winning Research

Over the years, my research has primarily focused on phlebotomine sand flies and leishmaniasis. I have always been fascinated by species complexes and how different members within these complexes can act as vectors of pathogens.

In particular, I have worked to enhance our understanding of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex, with a focus on the population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships among populations.  Lutzomyia longipalpis is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. A long-standing debate surrounds the taxonomic status of L. longiplapis and whether it represents one species or several. Resolving this question requires determining which current populations correspond to the original species described in 1912. Once a neotype for L. longipalpis is designated, future studies will be better equipped to test whether different populations or species within the complex play distinct roles in the transmission cycle of L. infantum. Understanding of the evolutionary relationships within the L. longipalpis complex is not just an academic exercise—it has practical implications for controlling leishmaniasis in endemic regions.

More recently, I have expanded my interests to include ticks and tick-borne diseases. In particular, I am curious about the strategies used by soft ticks for hematophagy. These ticks are generally rapid feeders, completing a bloodmeal within minutes, in contrast to the slow-feeding behavior of hard ticks. This contrast raises fascinating questions about evolutionary adaptation, physiology, and pathogen transmission.

What the Prize Means to Me

For a boy who started with no roadmap into science, this recognition feels almost unreal. When I first received the notice of being selected for the prize, impostor syndrome knocked at my door. But after a few moments, I felt deeply honored. Beyond the privilege of standing on the same path as Professor Bain, looking at the list of previous winners shows me just how meaningful this prize truly is.

The OBMP brings visibility to the work that my colleagues and I are pursuing. I believe—and hope—that it will foster new collaborations. I also hope this recognition shines a light on the talent coming from Brazil and other regions where neglected tropical diseases are not only scientific challenges but daily realities.

Looking Ahead & Gratitude

This prize brings not only recognition but also a great responsibility: to honor the legacy of Professor Bain. I will keep working hard to live up to it.

Currently, I look forward to the transition of building my own research group in the near future. I know I still have much to learn about managing a lab and mentoring the next generation of scientists. However, my mind is overflowing with ideas, and with every step I take, I feel closer to finding my own style of doing good science. Importantly, the path I have walked so far has given me clues about how to be a good and respectful mentor for my future students.

I want to acknowledge the efforts of my mentors, who showed me the “way of the rocks,” as we say in Brazil. I am also deeply grateful for the collaborations I have been lucky to be part of, my lab mates, and the institutions that supported me along the way.

This achievement is dedicated to my family, especially my wife (Lidi) and son (Luis).

My journey has been guided by curiosity, perseverance, and community. This prize is not the finish line but a stepping stone—one that inspires me to continue contributing to science and to help shape a future where neglected tropical diseases receive the attention they deserve.