Research

Anthropogenic changes to the environment and globalization continue to drive arbovirus emergence and reemergence, resulting in spillover events. These events often initiate new zoonotic transboundary transmission cycles between vector species and amplification hosts. However, the mechanisms underlying arbovirus maintenance, emergence, and spillover into human populations are poorly understood. My laboratory uses a multi-pronged approach that includes a combination of field and laboratory-based methods to identify and characterize emerging arboviruses, determine the prevalence of virus infection in arthropods, vertebrate hosts and humans; investigate arbovirus vector infection and pathogenesis; and identify risk factors for acquiring arbovirus infection. The results of our investigations are used to inform mitigation strategies to help prevent the spillover of arboviruses into human populations and protect vulnerable populations from disease.