Kevin R. Macaluso

Kevin R. Macaluso is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He earned his B.Sc. from Colorado State University, M.Sc. from Sul Ross State University, and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. Previously, he held the Mary Louise Martin Professorship at Louisiana State University.

• Education:
  • B.Sc., Colorado State University
  • M.Sc., Sul Ross State University
  • Ph.D., Oklahoma State University

Research Focus: Dr. Macaluso investigates vector-borne diseases with a specialization in rickettsial pathogens and their transmission through ticks and fleas. His lab employs biologically relevant host/vector/pathogen systems to study molecular mechanisms of infection, tick immune responses (particularly the IMD pathway and Relish protein), and bacterial surface proteins like Sca antigens. Additional collaborative projects explore Mycobacterium leprae transmission by hematophagous arthropods and bacterial regulatory responses during vector infection.

Publication Trends: His recent work (2024-2021) emphasizes rickettsial transmission dynamics, tick immune signaling, and flea salivary gland interactions. Key methodologies include transposon mutagenesis, mitochondrial genomics, and sialotranscriptomic analysis. Earlier studies (2001-2003) laid foundational work on tick gene expression and rickettsial host response.

Awards & Grants: Principal Investigator for NIH/NIAID-funded projects on rickettsial transmission and flea-borne pathogens. Collaborative grants include analyses of bacterial regulatory systems and vector microbiota.

Technical Contributions: Developed tick cell lines for rickettsial culture, characterized novel vector proteins (e.g., tick histamine release factor, Arp2/3 complex), and pioneered quantitative PCR assays for rickettsial detection.