Role: Potential Undergraduate Mentor

Numerous studies demonstrate that vector-borne pathogens influence host characteristics, resulting in altered host-vector interactions and enhanced transmission. We seek to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon and use this knowledge to develop innovative control strategies using genetic and biochemical approaches. Current focuses are[...]

The main focus of our research program is to elucidate key mechanistic components in enveloped viruses and their host cells that: 1) mediate viral entry into cells, 2) elicit cell immune responses, and 3) mediate viral egress from cells. These studies are leading to the[...]

My lab group studies insect-pathogen interactions, using opportunistic bacterial infection in the model host Drosophila. For instance, students may measure pathogen proliferation when the host is provided with diets that vary in quality. Specific methods include microbiology and molecular biology, as well as genetic manipulations[...]