Strand – Research Experiences for Undergraduates in the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease

Reproduction and immunity trade-offs in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

18SeptemberAndrea Silletti2019 ProjectsEmpirical, Strand

Jillian Dunbar, a student at the University of Alabama, worked with Ellen Martinson and Vincent Martinson in the lab of Dr. Michael Strand. Reproduction and immunity are metabolically expensive systems; therefore, organisms with a limited amount of resources have to invest carefully (Schwenke et al. 2016). With the goal of producing offspring, organisms must invest

Influence of mosquito gut microbiota on susceptibility to dengue infection

16AugustAndrea Silletti2018 ProjectsEmpirical, Strand

Robert Manuel, a junior from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, worked with Ruby Harrison in the lab of Dr. Mike Strand to examine the relationship between mosquito gut biota and dengue infection. Abstract: The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue virus (DENV). Prior studies report increased susceptibility of A. aegypti to DENV

The role of bacteria in mosquito development: a comparative study of distantly related species

8NovemberAndrea Silletti2017 ProjectsEmpirical, Strand

Molly Hancuh, a student from University of Minnesota-Morris, worked with Bret Boyd and Ruby Harrison in the lab of Dr. Mike Strand to examine the role of bacteria in mosquito larval development. Abstract: The digestive tract of a mosquito is home to bacterial community that is essential for normal development (1). In the larval stages,

Environmental and host factors affect bacterial community structure in the mosquito gut

19DecemberAndrea Silletti2015 ProjectsEmpirical, Strand

Sofia Bertoloni Meli, a student from Indiana University, worked with Dr. Michael Strand and Kerri Coon to studied the microbial community found in the gut of mosquitoes. Abstract: Insects host many essential microbial symbionts. The bacteria in mosquito guts are important for development, nutrient acquisition, and reproduction. Developing mosquito larvae acquire their gut bacterial community

Density and colonization dynamics of gut bacteria essential for development of the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae

16DecemberJohn Drake2014 ProjectsEmpirical, Strand

Jacob Gafranek, a student at Xavier University, worked with Dr. Michael Strand and graduate student mentor Kerri Coon in the UGA Entomology Department, to look at the gut microbiota of a mosquito disease vector. Jacob T. Gafranek1, Kerri L. Coon2, Michael R. Strand2 1 Xavier University 2 University of Georgia Gut bacteria are ubiquitous among