Past Members

Postdoctoral Scholars

Matteo Marcantonio, PhD, has a background in natural and environmental science. His interests include the study of species ecology, invasion and conservation biology. Currently his work integrates experimental and observational data from lab, semi-controlled environments as well as remote sensing and data logger, with modelling applied to the invasion dynamics of Aedes mosquitoes in urban areas. In his research, he is committed to studying the spread of invasive species as a multi-scale ecological process, by exploring how micro-habitat and micro-geographic conditions can affect its outcome at larger spatial scales. The rationale behind his research is to provide information that helps the mitigation of invasive Aedes populations, “know the enemy and you will win”!

Brad Main, PhD, has a background in arthropod genomics and transcriptomics. He is passionate about understanding adaptation and speciation and the genetic basis of insecticide resistance, host preference, and vector competence in mosquitoes. Brad is exploring whether and why distinct genetic populations of Aedes aegypti vary in their ability to become infected by and transmit Zika virus.

Jay Nicholson, PhD, Post-Doc, 2017-2018
Current affiliation: Scientific Officer, Medical Entomology, Department of Health, Mount Claremont, Western Australia

Graduate Students

Anna Kawiecki, DVM (PhD, Epidemiology, 2024) has a DVM from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, and a MS in virology from Louisiana State University. Ania has worked with our team in Iquitos, Peru, and her dissertation research used advanced spatio-temporal statistical models to evaluate surveillance and control of Aedes aegypti and dengue in Iquitos, Peru.

Olivia Winokur (PhD, Entomology, 2021) conducted research to understand how temperature and mosquito behavior affect the transmission risk of Aedes aegypti-borne viruses. She is now a postdoctoral scholar in our lab conducting research and leading development of public health entomology curricula and training programs for the Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases.

Karen Holcomb (PhD, Epidemiology, 2021) conducted research on the effects of vector control on spatial-temporal trends and epidemic potential of vector-borne diseases, particularly West Nile virus. She is interested in quantifying how viral dynamics change as a result of external events. Other interests of hers include quantitative epidemiology, infectious and zoonotic diseases, risk prediction, and backpacking.

Pascale Stiles (PhD, Epidemiology, 2021) investigated ways to improve the prediction of human West Nile virus disease occurrence in California using entomological observational data. She obtained her MSc from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where she studied malaria and sociodemographic factors. Her interests are vector-borne diseases, disease surveillance, and spatiotemporal patterns of disease.

Marisa Donnelly (PhD, Epidemiology, 2020) studied the disease ecology of Zika and dengue, including climatic and social drivers of Aedes aegypti abundance. Marisa obtained her BS from UCSD where she studied risk factors for HIV in sex workers in Mexico. Marisa’s interests include social determinants of health, spatial analysis, traveling, and rock climbing.

Gabriela Novo de Oliveira, DVM (MPVM, 2023)

Anne Kimmerlein, DVM (MPVM, 2018)
Current affiliation: Epidemiologist, VCA Animal Hospitals

Jessica Healy (PhD, Epidemiology, 2015)
Current affiliation: Quantitative Epidemiologist, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Mary Danforth (PhD, Epidemiology, 2015)
Current affiliation: Epidemiologist, California Department of Public Health, Sacramento, CA

Ethan Fechter-Leggett, DVM (MPVM, 2013)
Current affiliation: Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV

Staff

Ying Fang managed the DART Surveillance Laboratory, where mosquito and bird specimens are tested for viral infection using molecular and traditional biological methods to support surveillance and research on mosquito-borne encephalitis viruses. Ying also evaluated new laboratory methodology, ensured quality control of work within the DART BSL-3 and other laboratories, curated the DART virus reference collection, and supervised and trained personnel.

Sandra Garcia was a laboratory assistant in the DART Surveillance Laboratory. She has a wide range of laboratory skills and tests mosquito and bird samples from mosquito control agencies throughout California using RT-PCR, plaque assay, and EIA.

Manuel Beja da Costa, an electrical engineer looking for a career change, worked on dengue research projects and related data systems in Iquitos, Peru. While his main focus was the management and improvement of our project’s data portal, Manuel also dedicated some of his time to resolving the various technical difficulties that occur both in the office and in the field.

Postdoctoral Scholars

Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

Staff

VectorSurv Team