Assistant Research Scientist
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States
Central to my research pursuits are host-vector-pathogen systems, a field that captivates me by posing three pivotal questions: How does the heterogeneity of host traits, such as infection, shape host-vector interactions and influence disease transmission? To what extent does nutritional stress alter a vector's ability to disseminate arboviruses? And how do shifting environmental dynamics reverberate through vector-pathogen interplay? Using a strategic blend of laboratory assays, field experiments, and empirical modeling, I strive to decode these intricate inquiries. My portfolio predominantly encompasses disease vectors like Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus, along with mosquito-borne pathogens such as avian Plasmodium, West Nile virus, and dengue virus. Additionally, my research extends to mosquito surveillance and control strategies, including the exploration of novel nano-structured DNA sensors for dengue detection and inhibition, as well as establishing double Wolbachia-infected mosquito strains to reduce vector competence.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Thursday, March 6, 2025
4:15 PM – 4:25 PM AST