{"id":62,"date":"2016-06-21T21:38:32","date_gmt":"2016-06-21T21:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/college.agrilife.org\/vectorbiology\/?page_id=62"},"modified":"2016-12-13T16:38:36","modified_gmt":"2016-12-13T16:38:36","slug":"faculty","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/college.agrilife.org\/vectorbiology\/faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Giridhar Athrey<\/h2>\n

\"Athrey\"Assistant Professor – Poultry Science<\/em><\/p>\n

Avian Genetics and Functional Genomics<\/p>\n

The main focus of our lab is to address fundamental questions relevant to evolution, genetics and conservation of both domesticated and wild bird species. Research projects in our lab utilize field and experimental studies coupled with genomic and computational tools to illuminate the genetic basis of quantitative traits, functional aspects of communicable and vector borne diseases, innate immunity and population genetics of avian and non-avian taxa. The broader implications of our research includes the generation of knowledge and innovative tools for improving animal, human and environmental health. <\/span><\/p>\n

E-mail: giri.athrey@tamu.edu<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Zach Adelman<\/h2>\n

\"Zach<\/h2>\n

Associate Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

E-mail: zachadel@exchange.tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bio Page<\/p>\n

\n

Craig Coates<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Craig<\/em>Associate Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

Mosquito Transgenesis<\/p>\n

Our laboratory is focussed on providing tools and improving existing genetic transformation systems for vector mosquitoes. One of our approaches is the identification and incorporation of boundary elements, or insulators, into transposable element constructs to protect transgenes from position effects and positive effect variegation upon integration into the mosquito genome. An alternative approach is the development of site-specific integration systems through the use of chimeric transposases fused with highly specific DNA binding domains such that the site of integration in the mosquito genome can be controlled.<\/p>\n

Email: ccoates@tamu.edu\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Gabe Hamer
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"hamer\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Assistant Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

Vector-Borne Disease Ecology<\/p>\n

The Hamer Laboratory focuses on the ecology of vector-borne disease transmission. \u00a0Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we seek to understand the mechanisms across space and time that facilitate the maintenance and amplification of vector-borne disease agents.\u00a0 Current projects include the eco-epidemiology of West Nile virus, the interactions of co-circulating parasites, and the application of stable isotopes to the study of vector biology and vector-host interactions.<\/p>\n

Email: ghamer@tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Sarah Hamer<\/h2>\n

\"hamer\"Assistant Professor – Veterinary Integrative Biosciences<\/em><\/p>\n

Ecology and Epidemiology of Vector-borne Zoonotic Diseases<\/p>\n

Sarah Hamer is a veterinary ecologist who studies emerging vector-borne diseases at the interface of domestic animal, wildlife, and human health.\u00a0 The Hamer Laboratory<\/a> combines field and molecular approaches to understand how pathogens are maintained in nature.\u00a0 We aim to identify aspects of enzootic cycles that can be targeted to reduce disease risk.\u00a0 Currently we study tick-borne diseases, wild birds as dispersers of vectors and pathogens, and Chagas disease in the southern United States.<\/p>\n

E-Mail: shamer@cvm.tamu.edu\u00a0<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Kevin<\/h2>\n

Kevin Myles<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Email: mylesk@exchange.tamu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Albert Mulenga<\/h2>\n

Associate Professor-Entomology<\/em>\"mulenga\"<\/p>\n

With a long term goal of developing sub-unit vaccines against vectors and vector-borne pathogens, the Mulenga laboratory focuses on deciphering molecular mechanisms underlying the three-way interaction cascade involving the arthropod vector, vector-borne disease pathogen, and the mammalian host. The research program seeks to identify key molecules from arthropod vectors and the vector-borne pathogens that allow for evasion of mammalian host defenses.<\/p>\n

\"Tick\"Identified molecules will be characterized and assessed for their suitability as candidate antigens for development of vaccines against vectors and vector-borne disease agents.<\/p>\n

amulenga@cvm.tamu.edu<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Patricia Pietrantonio<\/h2>\n

\"resized-for-aglifesciences-theme-200x240\"<\/em><\/p>\n

Professor-Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

Mosquito Physiology and Toxicology<\/p>\n

Identification and molecular characterization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and channels from important arthropod pests: mosquito, tick and fire ants. Molecular understanding of the effector proteins that function to regulate diuresis or water movement in insects. The identification\/ functional characterization of these proteins could be exploited for pesticide discovery. For production agriculture, we focused on insecticide resistance monitoring for cotton pests; for boll weevil we monitored for resistance to malathion in support of the multi-million dollar Boll Weevil Eradication Program.<\/p>\n

E-Mail: p-pietrantonio@tamu.edu<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Michel Slotman<\/h2>\n

\"slotman\"Associate Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Evolutionary Genetics of Mosquitoes<\/p>\n

The Slotman Laboratory<\/a> focusses primarily on the evolutionary and population genetics of malaria transmitting mosquitoes. Current projects are investigating the genetic basis of host preference of Anopheles gambiae<\/span>; the population structure of Anopheles melas<\/span>; the impact of malaria control on the effective population size of mosquitoes; and the evolution of behavioral resistance against insecticides. We are also investigating the regulation olfaction genes during host seeking of Aedes aegypti, <\/span>mosquitoes. Finally, we are involved in the entomological monitoring component of the Bioko Island Malaria Control Project.<\/p>\n

E-Mail:\u00a0maslotman@tamu.edu<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Cecilia Tamborindeguy<\/h2>\n

\"cecilia_tamborindeguy\"Associate Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Plant-Vector-Pathogen Interactions<\/p>\n

The Tamborindeguy Laboratory<\/a> studies transmission of plant pathogens by insects. Research is aimed at understanding ecological and molecular aspects of plant-insect-pathogen interactions. Current projects involve study of effect of pathogen titers on transmission and on vector and plant fitness; effect of plant induced defenses on herbivorous insect, their endosymbionts and pathogen transmission.<\/p>\n

E-Mail:\u00a0maslotman@tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Aaron Tarone<\/h2>\n

\"tarone\"Assistant Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

Blow Fly Genetics and Genomics<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Blow flies develop on decomposing materials and transmit over 100 human pathogens. \u00a0The Tarone Laboratory<\/a> collaborates with the Tomberlin Laboratory to understand the molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, population genetics, and genomics of interactions between microbes and blow flies. The Tarone lab is currently also assisting colleagues at Yale University in the annotation of the tsetse fly genome.<\/p>\n

E-Mail:\u00a0tamlucilia@tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Pete Teel<\/h2>\n

\"Teel\"Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Tick Biology and Ecology<\/p>\n

Biology, ecology and management of ticks effecting humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife. Recent PhD students include a member of the Department of Defense and a member of the Army.<\/p>\n

\u00a0E-Mail: pteel@tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\u00a0Jeff Tomberlin<\/h2>\n

\"tomberlin\"Associate Professor – Entomology<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Behavioral Ecology: Blowfly-Microbe Interaction<\/p>\n

Blow flies develop on decomposing materials and transmit over 100 human pathogens. The Tomberlin Laboratory<\/a> collaborates with the Tarone Lab examining the interactions between microbes and blow flies competing for these resources and the role these flies play in transporting these microbes into surrounding communities.<\/p>\n

E-mail:\u00a0jktomberlin@tamu.edu<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Tawni Crippen<\/h2>\n

\"Crippen\"Research Microbiologist-USDA-ARS<\/em><\/p>\n

Adjunct Assistant Professor – Veterinary Pathobiology<\/p>\n

Foodborne Pathogen Transmission<\/p>\n

The Crippen lab investigates the temporal and spatial movement of foodborne bacterial pathogens by insects within food animal production facilities. The Crippen Lab also collaborates with the Tomberlin and Tarone Labs examining the interactions between microbes and flies utilizing decomposing resources and the subsequent influence on insect behavior, genetics, and dispersal of microbes into the surrounding environment.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

E-mail:\u00a0TC.Crippen@ARS.USDA.GOV<\/a> Bio Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Giridhar Athrey Assistant Professor – Poultry Science Avian Genetics and Functional Genomics The main focus of our lab is to address fundamental questions relevant to evolution, genetics and conservation of both domesticated and wild bird species. Research projects in our lab utilize field and experimental studies coupled with genomic and computational tools to illuminate the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":493,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-62","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFaculty - Vector Biology Research Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/college.agrilife.org\/vectorbiology\/faculty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Faculty - Vector Biology Research Group\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Giridhar Athrey Assistant Professor – Poultry Science Avian Genetics and Functional Genomics The main focus of our lab is to address fundamental questions relevant to evolution, genetics and conservation of both domesticated and wild bird species. 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