Background

My broad research interests are in the development of applied strategies that employ Wolbachia infections to modify important insect pests and disease vectors. Specifically, I am interested in the interaction of Wolbachia infections and its host and how this interaction my affect control strategies. My Ph.D. research in Dr. Stephen Dobson’s lab focused on the development of a Wolbachia based control strategy for the bancroftian filariasis vector Aedes polynesiensis. My current research in the Dr. Aksoy’s lab is focused on examining the Wolbachia infection dynamics of tsetse flies.