An internationally recognized and diverse program exists on ecology and behavior of medically important arthropods, especially biting flies and ticks. Additionally, research emphasizes landscape ecology and epidemiology of vector-borne disease in national and international settings, insect/microbe interactions, feeding behavior and studies of target and non-target interventions.
Faculty and Staff
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Studies in the Merritt lab involve the ecology of aquatic insects in multiple habitats including streams, lakes and wetlands. In general, this research has involved the feeding ecology and trophic relationships, animal microbial interactions, population dynamics and influence of environmental factors on immature aquatic insects, especially black flies and mosquitoes. In addition to aquatic insects, research studies have also been conducted in the fields of medical and forensic entomology.
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| Endosymbiont, Arbovirus & Mosquito Interactions and the Disease Control |
Dr. Xi's lab uses a number of functional genomics tools to dissect interactions among dengue viruses, endosymbiontic bacterium Wolbachia and mosquito host with the goal to develop novel genetic strategies for blocking disease transmission in mosquito. |
Zhiyong Xi |
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Walker began studies of the efficacy and sustainability of insecticide treated bed nets as a malaria intervention, with NIH U01 support that started in 2003 and extends to 2008. Insecticide treated bed nets are the cornerstone of the Roll Back Malaria initiative, yet exactly how they function behaviorally and toxicologically as interventions against malaria transmission is not known, nor is it known if insecticide resistance will interfere with their sustainability. These topics and related ones form the basis for the research program.
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