Claus Tittiger

Claus Tittiger serves as Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he leads research on bark beetle biochemistry to develop targeted pest control strategies addressing significant forest economic losses.

Education:

• B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa (1987)
• Ph.D. in Biology from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1994)

His research focuses on enzymatic mechanisms in isoprenoid pheromone biosynthesis and detoxification of coniferous tree resins in bark beetles. By studying midgut-specific metabolic pathways, his lab aims to develop species-specific population control methods that avoid non-target ecological damage, with particular emphasis on monoterpene metabolism and cytochrome P450 functions.

Analysis of his 2017-2021 publications reveals a dominant focus on cytochrome P450 enzymes in pheromone production and detoxification across bark beetle species, with expanding comparative work on cuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis in honey bees and mosquitoes. His research integrates functional genomics with biochemical validation to identify molecular targets for pest management.

Laboratory: Located in FA Building Room 201 at UNR, his lab employs functional genomics, molecular biology, and biochemical techniques to investigate bark beetle-host tree interactions, with current work centered on enzyme characterization in Ips and Dendroctonus species.