Who We Are

Dr Rajpal S. Yadav

Rajpal is our principal consultant for vector-borne disease prevention, control and elimination. He brings more than 40 years of international experience at WHO headquarters in Geneva and in developing-country settings across all WHO regions. His expertise spans vector-borne disease control, integrated vector management and public health entomology.

At WHO, Rajpal served as Senior Scientist and directed the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) from 2009 to 2017, leading multicountry laboratory and field evaluations for the prequalification of vector control products. His work contributed to the introduction and scale-up of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, space sprays and larvicides, helping to transform vector control and reduce the global burden of malaria and leishmaniasis. 

Until he retired from WHO in 2023, Rajpal helped shape the Global Vector Control Response and supported countries in developing integrated vector management plans and evidence-based vector control strategies. He contributed to WHO policies, guidelines and operational tools for malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis and onchocerciasis, led global surveys on insecticide use and pesticide regulation, and delivered international training on vector surveillance, insecticide resistance and pesticide management. He also managed the Innovation to Impact project, established Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratories, strengthened regional capacity across all WHO regions, and served for 10 years as the FAO/WHO Focal Point for the pesticide management programme. Rajpal led, updated or contributed to more than 35 WHO normative guidance documents and standard operating procedures covering vector control product evaluation, scientific evidence review, vector surveillance, insecticide resistance and pesticide management.

Before joining WHO, Rajpal spent more than two decades with the National Institute of Malaria Research in India, where he rose to Senior Deputy Director. He directed field stations in Gujarat and Odisha and led epidemiological and entomological research on malaria, dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis across a wide range of ecological settings. He also led the first WHOPES trials in India, investigated disease outbreaks, conducted environmental impact assessments, implemented India's pioneering integrated disease vector control project, and strengthened multisectoral collaboration and workforce capacity.

Since retiring from WHO, Rajpal has continued to provide consultancy, technical advice and training to WHO, FAO, other international agencies and national disease control programmes. His work focuses on vector-borne disease prevention and elimination, public health entomology, vector control and the implementation of innovative tools and approaches. He has also supported the production of insecticide resistance test kits in Malaysia and the quality assurance certification of pesticide application equipment in the United Kingdom.

Rajpal's expertise encompasses entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance monitoring, pesticide management, vector control product evaluation, aircraft disinsection and the development of international normative guidance. He has led or participated in malaria and visceral leishmaniasis elimination programme reviews, including pre-certification assessments, and brings a practical, evidence-based approach to strengthening programmes for malaria, arboviral diseases, leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis.

Publications......