Nicole L. Achee

Nicole L. Achee is a Research Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and holds a joint Associate Professor appointment in the Eck Institute for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame. She is a leading medical entomologist with over 20 years of experience in vector-borne disease research, focusing on mosquito behavior, vector ecology, and the development and evaluation of vector control tools such as spatial repellents. Her work spans multiple countries including Belize, Indonesia, Peru, Thailand, and Zambia, with major collaborations funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Unitaid, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Medical Entomology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 1999–2004
• M.Sc. in Zoology, Texas A&M University, 1992–1995
• B.S. in Biology, St. Louis University, 1988–1992

Her research interests include infectious and vector-borne diseases, public health product evaluation, vector ecology, intervention trials, and global health policy. She has pioneered the use of spatial repellents in large-scale clinical trials to reduce human-vector contact for dengue and malaria prevention. Her work integrates laboratory and field studies with GIS and remote sensing for disease risk modeling.

The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong focus on spatial repellents, mosquito behavior, vector control efficacy, and public health implementation. The research spans disciplines such as entomology, epidemiology, public health, and computational modeling, with sub-fields including insecticide resistance, oviposition behavior, push-pull strategies, and community-level intervention impacts.

Scientific Awards and Leadership:

• Lead Principal Investigator, REDI-NET (CDMRP)
• Scientific Director, Unitaid-funded spatial repellent trials
• Member, WHO Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG)
• Past-Chair, American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME), ASTMH
• Lead Scientist, WHO Guidelines for Efficacy Testing of Spatial Repellents
• Partner, Worldwide Insecticide Resistance Network (WIN)

Nicole Achee has advised numerous Master of Science in Global Health students at Notre Dame and co-directs the Belize Vector and Ecology Center (BVEC), a hub for research, training, and education in public health. She has secured major grants from the Gates Foundation, SC Johnson, and CDMRP, supporting long-term field trials and capacity building in endemic regions. Her work directly informs WHO public health policy and advances global strategies for vector-borne disease control.

Labs and Teams:
The Achee/Grieco Lab at Notre Dame conducts multidisciplinary field and laboratory research on vector behavior and control. The lab collaborates internationally and mentors undergraduate and graduate students, emphasizing hands-on training in global health research.