Courtney Murdock

Courtney Murdock is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Her research focuses on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, particularly mosquito-borne pathogens such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. She leads the Murdock Lab, which integrates laboratory experiments, field studies, and mathematical modeling to explore environmental drivers of vector-borne disease transmission.

Key research themes include the impact of microclimate on mosquito physiology and pathogen transmission, the role of temperature and humidity in disease dynamics, and the socioecological dimensions of urban disease control. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address global health challenges, including the effects of climate change on vector competence and the development of novel intervention strategies.

Recent studies explore urban heat islands, household water management practices in India, and the thermal limits of malaria transmission. Her lab collaborates on projects combining satellite earth observations with field data to identify disease hotspots and predict future transmission risks under climate change scenarios.

Notable contributions include advancing methods for mosquito age determination using Raman spectroscopy and neural networks, and quantifying how larval environments influence adult vector competence. Murdock’s research bridges ecological theory with applied public health interventions, aiming to reduce the global burden of mosquito-borne diseases.