Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Land Rover’s expedition to tackle malaria


Land Rover is working with the Mobile Malaria Project, winners of the 2018 Land Rover Bursary in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), as it heads to sub-Saharan Africa to embark on a unique eight-week journey of Discovery.

Made up of three Oxford University researchers, led by Dr George Busby, the Mobile Malaria Project will travel more than 6,300km across Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. Driving a specially-modified Land Rover Discovery, they will investigate the challenges facing those on the front line of malaria control in Africa – where 90 per cent of the world’s cases occur.

Designed and developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the Discovery is equipped with a mobile genetic sequencing laboratory that makes full-use of the vehicle’s 1,137-litre load space. Not only does it feature a fridge/freezer unit to safely store scientific supplies, there is also a bespoke load space configuration frame system with specially-designed storage equipment cases and an on-board expedition battery.

The Land Rover Discovery has a 30-year track record of tackling the most difficult terrain, reaching threatened habitats and vulnerable people across the world. The expedition group has also teamed up with another of Land Rover’s global humanitarian partners, what3words, to accurately plan their route, navigate on the ground and document their findings in real-time.

The Mobile Malaria Project will depart the UK on 22 March to begin its eight-week expedition.
bout the Land Rover Bursary

About Land Rover Bursary
The Land Rover Bursary was first awarded by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in 2007, offering funding and the use of a Land Rover vehicle, as part of a partnership that stretches back more than 35 years. The bursary is awarded every year to an enthusiastic team who undertake a journey for which a Land Rover is integral, to promote a wider understanding and enjoyment of geography and to take the recipients beyond their normal limits and boundaries.

About Land Rover
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

About the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG; Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 for 'the advancement of geographical science', today we deliver this objective through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, public engagement, and geography input to policy. The Society aims to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. The RGS-IBG holds the world's largest private geographical collection and provides public access to it. www.rgs.org

About the Mobile Malaria Project
As winners of the 2018 Land Rover Bursary, Dr George Busby from the University of Oxford's Big Data Institute, Jason Hendry and Dr Isaac Ghinai will drive 6,300km across Africa in March 2019 to document current innovations and challenges in eliminating malaria – a parasitic infectious disease transmitted between humans by mosquitoes.

Tosan Aduayi contributes on motoring from Dallas, Texas

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