Molly Duman Scheel

Molly Duman Scheel is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her research is centered on mosquito developmental genetics, particularly in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti.

Research Interests:

• Developmental Genetics
• Vector Biology
• Mosquito Genetics and Genomics
• Neural Development and Axon Guidance
• Regulation of Gene Expression
• siRNA Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Targeting
• EvoDevo

Her work aims to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying mosquito nervous system development and sexual dimorphism, with the goal of developing novel strategies for vector control. She pioneered the use of siRNA nanoparticle-mediated gene knockdown in mosquito larvae, enabling functional genetic studies in non-model organisms.

Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight a consistent focus on neural development in Aedes aegypti, particularly in olfactory, visual, and brain systems. She employs advanced molecular tools like chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles to disrupt gene function, studying key genes such as semaphorin-1a and single-minded. Her work bridges evolutionary developmental biology and public health by establishing mosquitoes as tractable models for genetic analysis.

Academic Background:

• B.S., University of Notre Dame, 1994
• Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1999

Positions Held:

• Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 2013–Present
• Associate Professor, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 2013–Present
• Assistant Professor, 2007–2013

Scientific Contributions:

• Established Aedes aegypti as a model for developmental genetics
• First targeted genetic knockdown studies in mosquito neural development
• Pioneered nanoparticle-mediated gene targeting in mosquito larvae
• Discovered roles of key genes in mosquito nervous system patterning

Advising and Grants: While specific students or grant awards are not listed in the provided text, her active research program and multiple publications suggest ongoing mentoring of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as success in securing research funding. Her collaborative work with researchers like D.W. Severson and S.J. Emrich indicates strong team-based research efforts.

Laboratories and Teams: Dr. Duman-Scheel leads a research laboratory focused on vector mosquito developmental genetics, likely based at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her team employs molecular, genetic, and imaging techniques to study mosquito development and collaborates with bioinformaticians and vector biologists.