The mission of the MEU is to understand the complex mechanisms of vector-host and vector-pathogen interactions at the biochemical and molecular levels. A combination of bioinformatic analyses, recombinant protein production, structural biology, assay development, and gene editing (based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system) are being used to discover the functions of salivary proteins and their possible function(s) in blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Aim to develop new control strategies to reduce or eliminate vector-borne diseases.
From left to right: Olivia Kern, Paola Valenzuela-Leon, Ines Martin-Martin, Eric Calvo, and Frank Criscione
From left to right: Olivia Kern, Paola Valenzuela-Leon, Ines Martin-Martin, Eric Calvo, and Frank Criscione
Eric Calvo, Ph.D.
Earl Stadtman Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar
Chief, Molecular Entomology Unit
Education:
Ph.D., Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
B.Sc., University of Havana, Cuba
Dr. Calvo was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. He received his B.Sc. in biochemistry from the University of Havana, Cuba, and his Ph.D. from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He did postdoctoral work at the University of California, Irvine, and at NIAID. Dr. Calvo became a staff scientist first at the FDA and then at NIAID, where he is now an Earl Stadtman tenure-track investigator and NIH Distinguished Scholar.
Karina Botello, MNAS-MS (She/Her/Hers)
IRTA Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Education:
B. Sc. and MNAS-MS, Biology, Missouri State University
Languages Spoken: Spanish
My work aims to understand the role of salivary proteins in modulating the vertebrate host innate immune response to mosquito bites. I am also working on how mosquito saliva modulates arbovirus transmission and infection.
Paola Carolina Valenzuela-Léon, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Molecular Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico
Languages Spoken: Spanish
My work is focused on characterizing and understanding the mechanism of action of pharmacologically active molecules from saliva of blood-feeding arthropods (mosquitoes, sand flies, black flies) and their relevance in blood feeding and pathogen transmission.
Gaurav Shrivastava, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Biomedicine, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico
Languages Spoken: Spanish, Hindi
My project focus to identify the role of mosquito salivary gland extract in the modulation of host immunity during flavivirus infections. In addition, I am also trying to understand the role of mosquito salivary gland proteins in inflammation and immunity during viral infections. Research Interest: Virus immunology, Host immunity, Inflammasome, Mosquito.
Leticia Barion Smith, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Entomology, Cornell University
Languages Spoken: German, Portuguese
Adeline Elizabeth Williams, MPH., Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Colorado State University
MPH, Yale University
BSPH & BA, Tulane University
Languages Spoken: Spanish
My research studies the molecular mechanisms underlying vector-pathogen interactions with the goal of characterizing novel compounds or processes that may be targeted to curb disease burden.
Former Research Group Members
Emma Duge, B.Sc., IRTA Postbaccalaureate. Ph.D. candidate, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. University of California, Santa Barbara.
Ines Martin-Martin, Ph.D., Research Fellow. Principal Investigator, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
Olivia Kern, B.Sc., IRTA Postbaccalaureate. Ph.D. candidate, Department of Global Health, University of Washington.
Andrew S. Paige, B.Sc., IRTA Postbaccalaureate. Ph.D. candidate, School of Biological Sciences, Columbia University.
Lindsay Martin, B.Sc., IRTA Postbaccalaureate. Ph.D. candidate, College of Art and Science, Vanderbilt University