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
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

Karina Botello, MNAS-MS (She/Her/Hers)
IRTA Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Education:
B. Sc. and MNAS-MS, Biology, Missouri State University
Languages Spoken: Spanish

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

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

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

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