Kateryn Rochon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Manitoba , affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences . She works on arthropods affecting livestock and wildlife, with a focus on ticks, flies, and vector-borne diseases. Education : PhD in Entomology (North Carolina State University), MSc in Biological Sciences (University of Lethbridge), BSc in Biology (Université de Sherbrooke). Research Interests include the geographic distribution of animal pathogen vectors, arthropod-host interactions, livestock pest management, and emerging tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Her work involves ecological modeling, surveillance programs, and investigating the role of insects in disease transmission. Scientific Awards include the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award , 2021 Annual Community Outreach Award , and the NACTA Teaching Award of Merit (2015) . Teaching : Courses such as Insect Pest Management , World of Bugs , and Veterinary and Wildlife Entomology .
Dr. Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara is an ARC DECRA Fellow at the Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection (AIMI) within the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). His research focuses on understanding bacterial survival mechanisms under environmental stresses, particularly interactions with higher organisms and protozoan predation. Key areas include pathogen persistence in ecosystems, virulence evolution, and antibiotic resistance. Education: Bachelor in Pharmacy and Chemistry (Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile, 2006-2011) PhD in Biotechnology (University of New South Wales, Australia, 2015-2019) Research Interests: His lab explores how bacterial pathogens adapt to predation by protozoa, leading to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. Studies include Vibrio cholerae’s survival in food vacuoles, biofilm dynamics, and environmental reservoirs of pathogens. Techniques used span microbiology, genomics, and ecological modeling. Key Contributions: Published work reveals protozoan predation drives genetic diversification in bacteria, enhancing their pathogenicity. Recent findings highlight SOS response-mediated DNA integration in V. cholerae and metabolic adaptations in V. vulnificus. These studies underscore environmental niches as critical for pathogen evolution. Awards: Eureka Prize for Scientific Research (2021) Becas Chile PhD Scholarship (2013) Teaching: Teaches Biotechnology Solutions to Infectious Diseases (2020), integrating research insights into curriculum. Labs/Teams: Active in AIMI, collaborating on projects linking environmental microbiology to public health outcomes. Current focus includes developing predictive models for pathogen reservoirs and antibiotic resistance spread.
Dr. Matt Payne is a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA), affiliated with the UWA Medical School and the School of Molecular Sciences. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Queensland (2007) and is a Fellow of the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM). His primary research focuses on perinatal microbiology, specifically the role of microbes in preterm birth, sepsis diagnostics, and microbial biomarker development. Key roles include leading the Clinical Perinatal Research Laboratories and chairing the West Coast Microbiome Network since 2021. He has secured over $12 million in grants, including NHMRC and Wellcome Trust funding, and currently leads projects like the Preterm Birth Prevention Study and the ONE Project for rapid sepsis diagnostics. Research interests span preterm birth prediction via vaginal microbiology, development of antimicrobial treatments, and sepsis diagnostics. His work also addresses First Nations health disparities in pregnancy outcomes and the impact of environmental heat on maternal health. Collaborations include institutions like Menzies School of Health Research and Murdoch University. Notable awards include the Stan Perron People Fellowship (2024) and recognition as an NHMRC grant reviewer. His teams include prominent researchers such as Professors John Newnham and Andrew Currie, alongside PhD candidates addressing critical health challenges like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and unexplained infertility.
Jessica Metcalf is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & Public Affairs at Princeton University, affiliated with the Global Health initiative. Her work bridges ecological, epidemiological, and policy-driven research to address global health challenges. She co-leads the Metcalf Lab, focusing on infectious disease dynamics, climate impacts on health, and vaccine strategies. Her research spans theoretical modeling, field studies, and policy analysis. Education details are not explicitly provided, but her academic roles suggest advanced training in ecological and public health disciplines. Research interests include pathogen evolution, climate-driven disease patterns, and microbial diversity conservation. She collaborates internationally, with significant work in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa. Her recent publications emphasize climate change's role in disease seasonality, vaccine design for animal populations, and the intersection of immunity patterns with environmental factors. She actively engages in global health policy through WHO advisory roles and contributes to open-source tools like the RSero R package for seroprevalence analysis. Advising and grants focus on interdisciplinary projects, though specific student names or grant amounts are not listed. The Metcalf Lab collaborates with institutions globally to address emerging infectious diseases and biodiversity loss, emphasizing practical solutions for public health systems in resource-limited settings.
Samuel Sheppard is a Professor of Microbial Genomics and Evolution at the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford. His research focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens evolve and spread, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance. He leads a multidisciplinary team studying genome evolution, ecological genomics, and global health interventions. Current projects include genomic surveillance of pathogens in low- and middle-income countries, development of CRISPR-based pathogen control tools, and analysis of bacterial adaptation in human and animal hosts. Research interests are structured into three overlapping areas: Genome Evolution: Investigating how mutation, recombination, and selection shape bacterial genomes, with a focus on Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter. Ecological Genomics: Using genomics to trace pathogen transmission networks and identify host-associated genetic markers in bacteria. Global Health: Collaborating with international partners to implement genomic surveillance programs and develop vaccines for enteric livestock pathogens. Recent work highlights machine learning applications for source attribution of Campylobacter infections and epistasis-driven adaptation in recombining bacteria. His lab also explores the impact of urbanization on antimicrobial resistance in wild bird microbiomes, demonstrating links between human proximity and pathogen diversity. Labs/Teams: The Sheppard Lab (sheppardlab.com) hosts postdoctoral researchers and graduate students working on projects ranging from bacterial genomics to One Health interventions. Collaborative networks include the MRC and BBSRC-funded programs.
Dr. Eric Caragata is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, affiliated with the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding mosquito-microbe interactions, particularly how microbiota and symbionts like Wolbachia influence arbovirus transmission. Key areas include mosquito microbiome dynamics, metabolic pathways affecting pathogen infection, and the role of environmental factors in shaping microbial communities. His work addresses critical questions such as the microbiota's variation across Florida mosquito species, dietary impacts on microbiome composition, and Wolbachia's plasticity under metabolic stress. He develops tools to control mosquito-borne diseases, including biopesticides like Chromobacterium and leveraging Wolbachia as a natural control agent. Publications highlight studies on mosquito population dynamics, Wolbachia efficacy in disease control, and microbial genomic resources (e.g., MosAIC). His research bridges basic science and applied strategies, aiming to optimize disease prevention methods.
Adam C.N. Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. His research focuses on host-microbe interactions, particularly how microbiomes influence insect behavior, physiology, and pathology. He employs multi-omics and molecular genetic approaches to study Drosophila species and non-model insects like chironomids and Drosophila suzukii. Key research themes include: 1) microbiome effects on host foraging and nutrient preference, 2) sex-specific microbiome-behavior interactions, and 3) microbiome roles in pest insect adaptation to new environments. Recent work explores microbiome-based strategies for sustainable pest control, collaborating with USDA-ARS on semiochemical development. His lab investigates mechanisms like microbiome-mediated metabolic shifts, virulence pathways of gut pathogens, and long-term developmental impacts of early microbiome perturbations. Research outputs span behavioral modulation, symbiosis dynamics, and agricultural applications of microbiome science. Contact: Steinmetz Hall, Gainesville, FL | adamcnwong@ufl.edu | Lab Website
Kent M. Daane is Professor of Cooperative Extension Specialist at UC Berkeley, developing ecologically-based pest management systems for agricultural crops through biological control and sustainable practices. Research focuses on mealybug management in vineyards, invasive species control (olive fly, spotted wing drosophila), and vector-pathogen interactions in tree crops. Current projects investigate Grapevine Red Blotch Virus epidemiology and biological control agent evaluation. Education: Ph.D. Entomology, UC Berkeley B.A. Zoology, UC Santa Barbara Awards: IOBC Distinguished Scientist Award (2020) California EPA IPM Achievement Award (2017)
Dr. Sunoh Che is an Assistant Professor in Animal & Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She holds board certification in Veterinary Preventive Medicine and collaborates closely with poultry producers and processors to enhance animal health and product quality through data-driven strategies. Her lab focuses on poultry management extension programs addressing pre- and post-harvest processing challenges. Dr. Che earned her DVM from Chonnam National University (South Korea), followed by advanced degrees in veterinary medicine and epidemiology across Canada and Australia. Her expertise spans poultry production systems, statistical modeling, and metabolic disorders in chickens. Research interests include transcriptomic analysis of muscle myopathies (spaghetti meat, woody breast), gut microbiome differences between chicken breeds, and viral pathogen dynamics in avian species. Recent studies explore chilling methods' impacts on meat quality and bornavirus infections in waterfowl. Key Awards: Hy-Line International Genetics Award (2021), Endeavour Postgraduate Award (2010-2012) Teaching: Leads ANSC 262 – Commercial Poultry Management Lab Focus: Developing diagnostic tools and management protocols for broiler myopathies Her interdisciplinary approach bridges veterinary epidemiology with production agriculture to improve both animal welfare and industry efficiency.
Chiara De Santi is a Lecturer in Immunology at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin. She holds a PhD from the University of Siena and has held academic roles including Postdoctoral Researcher (2016–2020) and Research Fellow (2021–2022). Her research focuses on non-coding RNAs' therapeutic potential in lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis, employing stem cell-derived organoids and ALI cultures for drug discovery. Education: BSc in Biological Sciences, University of Pisa (2007–2010) MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Pisa (2010–2012) PhD in Molecular Medicine, University of Siena (2012–2016) Research Interests: Non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, circRNAs) in lung pathologies Stem cell models for disease modeling Therapeutic modulation of inflammatory responses Cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms Grants & Funding: RCSI Grant: The role of non-coding RNAs in alveolar epithelial damage (2023–2026) Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Target site blockers for CFTR mutation therapy (2024–2027) Irish Research Council: miRNA therapeutics in multiple sclerosis (2018–2020) Professional Activities: Athena Swan Champion for PBS (2023–present) RCSI EDI Committee and PPI in Research Committee member Chair of RCSI Postdoc Society (2021–2022) Teaching: Immunology modules for medical and biomedical science programs Leadership in Year 1 Prize Medal Dissertation Competition (Medicine) Contributions to MSc programs in Precision Medicine
Christopher Kribs is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Distinguished Research Professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), holding a joint appointment in Curriculum & Instruction. A fifth-generation Dallasite, he has been at UTA since 1997 following graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic journey includes sabbaticals in Mexico (2003-04), France (2009-10), and Scotland (2021-22), reflecting his international research collaborations. His research spans two primary domains: mathematical population biology (specializing in epidemiology and ecology using dynamical systems) and mathematics education (focusing on rational numbers pedagogy and classroom discourse analysis). Key research themes include vector-borne disease modeling (particularly Trypanosoma cruzi/Chagas disease), dengue-Zika interactions, anthrax-rabies dynamics, and the development of mathematical frameworks for educational practices. His work frequently examines how behavioral heterogeneity, cross-immunity, and environmental factors influence disease transmission. Kribs has received numerous accolades including the National Academy of Inventors designation (2021), President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017), Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award (2016), and the Marie Curie Fellowship (2009). His recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in modeling complex disease interactions and educational practices, with significant focus on antibody-dependent enhancement effects in arboviral diseases and cognitive demand analysis in mathematics classrooms. Piper Professor Nominee (2022) National Academy of Inventors (2021) President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017) UTA Academy of Distinguished Scholars (2017) Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award (2016) Prix Sanofi-Pasteur (2010) As an advisor, Kribs has chaired six doctoral dissertations and served on numerous committees, mentoring researchers in mathematical epidemiology and education. His grant portfolio includes substantial funding from NSF, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and private foundations, totaling over $3.5 million. Current projects focus on optimizing dengue vaccination strategies and analyzing classroom discourse patterns. He also directs professional development programs for K-8 mathematics teachers and maintains active collaborations with institutions in Mexico, Colombia, and Scotland.
Dr. Rebecca Symula is an Instructional Associate Professor of Biology at The University of Mississippi. She coordinates and teaches the Introductory Biology lecture series. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, and microbial interactions in tsetse flies (Glossina species), with particular emphasis on symbionts like Wolbachia and pathogens like trypanosomes. Dr. Symula holds a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin (2009). Her research examines host-pathogen symbiont dynamics, including coinfection patterns of Wolbachia, trypanosomes, and salivary gland hypertrophy virus (SGHV) in Ugandan tsetse populations. Recent work (2012) highlights complex coinfection dynamics linked to host genetic structure and epidemiological implications for African trypanosomiasis control. Dr. Symula’s publications span frog phylogeography (Crinia signifera, Dendrobates spp.) and microbial ecology in vectors. She has published in journals like Applied and Environmental Microbiology , Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution , and mBio . Her work integrates molecular techniques, population genetics, and ecological modeling to understand speciation mechanisms and disease vector biology. Teaching responsibilities include Biological Sciences I (BISC 160) and II (BISC 162), foundational courses for biology majors. Office located in 202 Shoemaker Hall.
Dr. DeAnna Friedman-Klabanoff is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, specializing in pediatric infectious diseases with a focus on malaria vaccine development and immune responses. She leads clinical trials for malaria, mosquito-borne disease vaccines, and SARS-CoV-2. Her research combines peptide microarray technologies to study antibody specificity and natural immunity. She is affiliated with the NIH Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit and holds grants including the NIH K23 and Passano Foundation Award. Dr. Friedman-Klabanoff also contributes to the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership, tracking seroprevalence and vaccine effectiveness. She teaches medical students and residents on the pediatric infectious disease consult service. Education: B.S., Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2004) M.D., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (2009) M.S., Epidemiology & Clinical Research, University of Maryland (2023) Research Interests: Her work centers on refining malaria vaccines by analyzing pre-erythrocytic antibodies and leveraging systems serology. Current projects include Phase 1 trials of a full-length circumsporozoite protein vaccine and studying natural immunity in Malawian children. She extends this expertise to mosquito saliva vaccines (AGS-v PLUS) and SARS-CoV-2 serology. Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles since 2016, including key 2024 studies on malaria vaccine efficacy and 2022 work on mosquito-borne disease vaccines. Awards/Grants: NICHD K23 (2019–2021) Passano Foundation Clinician-Investigator Award (2021–2023) Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) to advance systems serology for malaria immunity analysis.
Aaron White serves as a Research Scientist at VIDO (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization) at the University of Saskatchewan, where he has worked since 2009. He holds the prestigious Jarislowsky Chair in Biotechnology, reflecting his significant contributions to the field. Dr. White's research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis with particular emphasis on Salmonella transmission, virulence mechanisms, and vaccine development. His work spans multiple areas including gene expression associated with biofilm formation, host-adaptation of enteric pathogens, and advanced gene reporter and imaging technologies. His expertise extends to molecular biology and next-generation DNA sequencing techniques that support his pathogen research. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on bacterial vaccine development, particularly for non-typhoidal Salmonella, and computational approaches to understanding bacterial secretion systems in Gram-negative pathogens. These works reflect his commitment to developing practical solutions for bacterial infections through innovative vaccine platforms and analytical methods. Scientific Recognition: Jarislowsky Chair in Biotechnology Dr. White leads the Bacterial Vaccine Development Group at VIDO, where his research has significant implications for public health and infectious disease control. His work bridges fundamental bacterial pathogenesis research with practical vaccine development applications, positioning him at the forefront of combating enteric bacterial pathogens.
Craig Williams is a Professor and Dean of Programs (Science, Construction & Project Management) at the University of South Australia (UniSA STEM). His research focuses on mosquito-borne diseases, public health, and environmental epidemiology, with a focus on understanding the ecological and social drivers of disease outbreaks like Ross River virus and Japanese encephalitis. He leads surveillance projects along the Murray River and has contributed to citizen science initiatives for low-cost mosquito monitoring. Education & Background: PhD in Public Health/Epidemiology (not explicitly stated, inferred from role) Affiliations include Sansom Institute for Health Research and Healthy Environments, Healthy People Research Group Research Interests: His work spans vector ecology, climate change impacts on disease spread, and biodiversity-environment links. Key areas include viral zoonoses, urban health risks, and surveillance tool development (e.g., RR Forester software). Articles Overview: Recent publications address emerging diseases in Australia, citizen science applications in entomology, and the role of urbanization in disease ecology. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining fieldwork, predictive modeling, and community engagement. Grants & Awards: NHMRC Grant 2008937 (Japanese encephalitis study) ARC Grant FL160100101 (urban environmental health) Advising & Teams: He collaborates with institutions like NSW Health Pathology and James Cook University. Projects include the Murray River mosquito surveys and the Australian Centre for Precision Health initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leadership roles in the Healthy Environments, Healthy People Research Group and involvement in the HEAL (Healthy Environments and Lives) network.
