Susan Paskewitz

Susan Paskewitz is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, affiliated with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Her work focuses on medical entomology, particularly the management of arthropod vectors of disease. She leads the Paskewitz Lab and collaborates with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-borne Disease.

Education:

• Ph.D. Entomology, University of Georgia (1987)
• M.A. Zoology, Southern Illinois University (1982)
• B.S. Zoology, Southern Illinois University (1979)

Research Interests:
Her research addresses mosquito and tick-borne diseases, including malaria, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease. Key areas include immune responses in vectors, integrated pest management, and ecological factors influencing pathogen transmission. Ongoing projects involve tick distribution patterns, biological control methods (e.g., fish for mosquito larvae), and community science initiatives like The Tick App.

Grants & Collaborations:

• NIH-funded studies on mosquito lysozyme proteins and pathogen interactions
• Hatch-supported projects on West Nile virus vector control
• Collaborations with CDC, state health departments, and ecologists like Ken Raffa

Labs & Teams:
Her lab focuses on vector biology and public health, with fieldwork in Wisconsin forests and urban areas. The Midwest Center for Vector-borne Disease coordinates interdisciplinary efforts to combat emerging pathogens.