An Interdisciplinary Research Centre leading the fight against helminth disease
Established in 2016, the BCHC at Aberystwyth University brings together an internationally-recognised team of Principal Investigators and external associates to lead the research community in the fight against parasitic worms causing agricultural, veterinary and biomedical diseases.
About Us
Helminth-related infections present some of the most difficult to treat diseases on our planet and their sustainable control depends on increasingly sensitive diagnostics and biomarkers as well as the development of prophylactic vaccines and novel therapeutic drugs. The BCHC will underpin innovation in this area through new collaborations and partnerships spanning previously untapped disciplines.
Video source: Gabriel Rinaldi – Female adult schistosome in culture actively feeding on red blood cells

Selected Recent Publications
View recent publications from BCHC members.

Facilities & Services
Aberystwyth University opens up a new era of collaborative, interdisciplinary research in the fight against neglected tropical diseases of global importance.

Our Research
Our research spans a broad variety of disciplines, including parasitology, chemistry, ecology, microbiology, mathematics, physics and computer science.
News
- Future collaborations with University of PerpignanIn April, BCHC member Dr Gabriel Rinaldi attended a meeting with collaborators at the University of Perpignan. At the university, they work on areas of Ecology and Neglected Tropical Diseases with a particular focus on different species of Schistosomes, including hybrids. The meeting was hosted by Prof Christoph Grunau, his…
- BCHC Members Involved in OneZoo CDT ProjectsThe OneZoo CDT PhD projects for 2023-24 are now open for applications. Several of our BCHC members are involved with the projects. Dr Russ Morphew is supervising Novel environmental biomarkers for liver fluke control, with co-supervisors including Prof. Peter Brophy and Dr Rhys Jones. Dr Russ Morphew is also involved…
- BCHC celebrates Viva success!On 14th March, Pom Wititkornkul successfully defended her thesis: ‘Horsing around with Anoplocephala perfoliata: A Polyomic Investigation of the Host–Parasite Interface’ She was examined by Professor Cinzia Cantacessi from the University of Cambridge and Dr Iain Chalmers from Aberystwyth University. The viva was chaired by Professor Peter Brophy. Congratulations Dr…
- British Science Week at Aberystwyth UniversityThis March members of the BCHC took part in British Science week hosted by Aberystwyth University. An annual UK wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and Maths, this year’s theme was Connections. Over the 3-day event pupils from local primary and secondary schools visited the Penglais campus for the opportunity…
Contact Us
BCHC Director: Professor Karl F. Hoffmann
Aberystwyth University
Edward Llwyd Building
Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth
SY23 3DA
WALES UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1970 622308
E-mail: bchc.uk@gmail.com
Mary Howlett -BCHC Administrator
Partner Organisations
Activities at the BCHC are supported by the following external organisations:

Photos on this page sourced from BCHC members