We study mechanisms underlying insect stress tolerance, reproductive physiology, regulation of metabolism and rhythm biology are the encompassing themes of my research, with the goal of integrating these topics under whole system studies that use molecular-, organismal- and population-based approaches.
Learn more about our research!!!
Lab members
The emphasis of my lab is on producing broadly-trained biologists that have direct knowledge and experience in a variety of techniques, allowing proficiency in bioinformatics, laboratory techniques and field research. Although individuals within my lab are not limited to any particular insect system, there is a slant toward medically-important insects/arthropods such as mosquitoes, tsetse flies and ticks. Specific techniques utilized: basic/advanced genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques (i.e. gene recovery, cloning, protein expression, western blotting, quantitative PCR and gene regulation), next-generation techniques (i.e. metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) and bioinformatics analysis of next generation data.
Recent Publications
Tompkin et al.
2026
Genome sequencing and multi-stage, blood-feeding, and tissue-specific transcriptome atlas of the Rocky Mountain wood tick provide a critical resource for this vector
Kelley et al.
2026
Microbiome-derived queuine vitamers underlie tyrosine metabolism and predator avoidance in mosquito larvae
Chen et al.
2026
Humidity as a potential zeitgeber for circadian entrainment of insect systems
Oyen et al.
2026
Sublethal pesticide exposure facilitates the potential northward range shifts of ticks by increasing cold tolerance and overwintering survival
Ahmed et al.
2026
Cyclic AMP compartmentalization drives signal specificity to control vector colonization and mammalian host infection by American trypanosomes
Benoit et al.
2026
Dehydrating microhabitats increase mite activity and intensify ectoparasitism of Drosophila
Recent news and preprints!
Congrats to Souvik Chakraborty!!
Summer 2025
Souvik defended his PhD studies
Drought and thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti eggs are tied to interaction with humans”
Congrats to Shyh-Chi Chen!!
Summer 2025
Shyh-Chi will be starting his own lab at Georgia College and State University
Congrats on 2026 Awards!!
2026
Paige Crawford – 4th place in three-minute presentation at UC Scholarly Showcase
Syeda Farjana Hoque – Outstanding PhD student
New preprint
LeFevre et al. 2026
Extended pregnancy during matrotrophy in cockroaches increases progeny survival during dry periods
New preprint
Benoit et al. 2026
Stage-specific and tomato-spotted wilt virus infection-induced changes in the salivary gland transcriptome of western flower thrips
New preprint
Chakraborty et al. 2026
Drought tolerance of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs is influenced by adaptation to local climate conditions and associations with humans
