Research Interests
Ecological Microbiology; Vector Biology; Epidemiology
Research Projects
Biology of dengue vector Aedes albopictus.
Aedes albopictus is highly invasive vector species that transmit several arboviruses. Bacteria microbiota may have profound impacts on vector development, reproduction, immunity against pathogens and vectorial capacity. My research examines the role of bacterial microbiota on mosquito survival and vectorial capability.
Surveillance and control of dengue vectors.
Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are non-native to California, but establishment of Ae. aegypti was first reported in 2013, and for Ae. albopictus in 2001 and then in 2011. As of now, Ae. aegypti is abundantly distributed in central and Southern California; in contrast, the distribution of Ae. albopictus is more focal and less abundant in southern California. A major question is whether Ae. albopictus will expand its distribution and become more abundant. With the support of PacVec program, in collaboration with local vector control districts in southern California I am testing the hypothesis that Ae. albopictus may expand its distribution range and increase its abundance in southern California as Ae. albopictus has evolved its ability to adapt to urban environments and warm and dry climate conditions. In addition, I am testing the effects of new larvicides on mosquito control.
Epidemiology of malaria and its vectors.
- African highlands used to be free of malaria or had very low incidences. However, since late 1980s a series of malaria epidemics have hit the area. My research was on molecular diagnosis of infections and population genetics analysis. In Asia, I investigated malaria epidemiology in the border region between China and Myanmar when I served as a trainee in these studies.
- Ultrasensitive RDT (usRDT) is a newly developed and more sensitive rapid diagnostic test, that has a lower limit of detection of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia than the microscopy and regular P. falciparum RDT. Results from different regions and different transmission settings varied. The effectiveness evaluation of usRDT in Africa is part of my research projects.
- The target of point-of-care tests is to detect parasites through microscopy or detect histidine-rich protein 2/3 (HRP2/3) antigens through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) or hs-/us-RDTs. HRP2/3 deletion mutation is an emerging problem in malaria control. My work involves the surveillance of HRP2/3 deletion in Africa
Insecticide resistance surveillance and genetics.
My research in insecticide resistance focuses on resistance mechanisms and resistance management of Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes. Vector insecticide resistance is becoming an emerging problem during the past decade, which highly affects the efficiency of the control of vectors. I am working on the resistance mechanism using genetic techniques.