Specialization:
- Molecular biology of vector-borne pathogens; tick and rickettsia interactions
Our research for over two and half decades has focused on important human and animal vector-borne infectious diseases. We currently work on tick-borne diseases caused by Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species pathogens.
Over the years, we have worked on several animal and human vector-borne pathogens, including the mosquito-borne human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum; tick-borne bovine babesiosis parasites, Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis; snail-borne liver fluke of sheep, Fasiola hepatica; mosquito-borne canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis; tick-borne rickettsial pathogens of the genera Ehrlichia (E. ruminantium, E. canis and E. chaffeensis) and Anaplasma (A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum), and mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. Our recent research also focuses on Rickettsia and Borrelia species.
Research: Fundamental Insect Science
Research: Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology – Conducts molecular evaluation of how host cell biology is modified by pathogens
Expertise: Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology - Studies Ehrlichia species and other vector-borne pathogens in defining the pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions at the cellular and molecular level
