Vector-Pathogen Interactions: From Vector Biology to Innovative Control Strategies
Feb 01–04, 2027 | Crowne Plaza Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Scientific Organizers:
Doug E. Brackney, Flaminia Catteruccia, Utpal Pal, and Sarah Merkling
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Feb 01–04, 2027 | Crowne Plaza Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Scientific Organizers: Doug E. Brackney, Flaminia Catteruccia, Utpal Pal, and Sarah Merkling
Doug E. Brackney, PhD
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Douglas Brackney, Ph.D., is an Agricultural Scientist in the Department of Entomology at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. His research is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating virus – vector interactions. The long-term objectives of his laboratory are to better characterize the interactions between the virus and vector in hopes of improving existing control measures and developing novel interventions to reduce the disease burden associated with arthropod-borne pathogens. He has a broad background in arbovirology/ vector biology with special training and expertise in viral evolution and virus-vector interactions.
Flaminia Catteruccia, PhD
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Flaminia Catteruccia, Ph.D., is the Irene Heinz Given Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Her research focuses on the reproductive biology of Anopheles mosquitoes and their interactions with Plasmodium parasites, with the goal of developing new tools to reduce malaria transmission. Her lab's work spans hormonal signaling pathways that govern mosquito mating and fertility, vector-parasite interactions in the lab as well as several malaria-endemic regions, and the development of malaria transmission-blocking strategies based on the use of antimalarials on mosquito bed nets.
Utpal Pal, PhD
University of Maryland
Utpal Pal, Ph.D., is an MPower Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, where he has studied tick-borne zoonoses for more than two decades, with a primary focus on Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. His research aims to identify and characterize microbial virulence determinants and host-vector pathways that govern the establishment and persistence of infection, with the long-term goal of developing effective therapeutics and vaccines. He is the Principal Investigator of multiple major federally-funded research programs on tick biology and immunity, and is an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.
Sarah Merkling, PhD
Institut Pasteur
Sarah Merkling, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and head of the Insect Infection & Immunity research group in the Virology Department at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Her research focuses on the molecular interactions between Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and the arboviruses they transmit to humans, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, with a particular emphasis on understanding the molecular basis of natural variation in mosquito susceptibility to infection. Her lab aims to leverage single-cell genomics and AI to uncover and manipulate the factors underlying natural resistance to arboviruses.
Available Formats:
Supported by:
Livestream
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandBooking Function
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Registration Options
Monday, February 1, 2027
Fundraising
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, February 2, 2027
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Poster Setup
8:00–8:30 AM
Poster Viewing
8:15–5:00 PM
Welcome Remarks
8:30–8:40 AM
Keynote Address
8:40–9:30 AM
Erol Fikrig, Yale University School of Medicine
Elucidating Vector-Microbe-Host Interactions using High-Throughput Exoproteome Screens
Elucidating Vector-Microbe-Host Interactions using High-Throughput Exoproteome Screens
Mechanistic Insights into Vector Immunity
9:30–11:45 AM
Ryan C. Smith, Iowa State University
Mosquito Hemocytes: Double-Edged Swords in Pathogen Control
Mosquito Hemocytes: Double-Edged Swords in Pathogen Control
Shirley Luckhart, University of Idaho
Mosquito Metabolic Regulation of Malaria Parasite Development
Mosquito Metabolic Regulation of Malaria Parasite Development
Utpal Pal, University of Maryland
Host Signals Promote Tick Immunity and Development
Host Signals Promote Tick Immunity and Development
Roenick P Olmo †, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire - IBMC
Short Talk: Complex I Activity Determines Early Resistance to Dengue Virus Infection in the Mosquito Midgut
Short Talk: Complex I Activity Determines Early Resistance to Dengue Virus Infection in the Mosquito Midgut
Coffee Break
10:00–10:20 AM
Workshop: Visual Experimentation
11:55–12:55 PM
Lunch
12:55–1:55 PM
Poster Session 1
1:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 1: Vector Determinants of Pathogen Infection
2:30–4:30 PM
Anya J O'Neal, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Short Talk: Blood-Induced Hemocytes Manage Oxidative Stress and Facilitate Bacterial Colonization in the Blacklegged Tick Ixodes Scapularis
Short Talk: Blood-Induced Hemocytes Manage Oxidative Stress and Facilitate Bacterial Colonization in the Blacklegged Tick Ixodes Scapularis
Thomas Vial, Institut Pasteur
Short Talk: Cellular and Metabolic Atlases of Aedes aegypti Tissues Reveal an Immunometabolic Switch Associated with Dengue Virus Resistance
Short Talk: Cellular and Metabolic Atlases of Aedes aegypti Tissues Reveal an Immunometabolic Switch Associated with Dengue Virus Resistance
Jason L Rasgon, Pennsylvania State University
Short Talk: Mosquito Genetic Modification Using Infectious Agents
Short Talk: Mosquito Genetic Modification Using Infectious Agents
Lauren Aguado, Rockefeller University
Short Talk: Revealing Host Factors That Support Alphavirus Replication in Aedes aegypti Mosquito Cells
Short Talk: Revealing Host Factors That Support Alphavirus Replication in Aedes aegypti Mosquito Cells
Yu-Min Chuang †, Yale University
Short Talk: Host Antibodies Targeting Mosquito Proteins Modulate Plasmodium Transmission
Short Talk: Host Antibodies Targeting Mosquito Proteins Modulate Plasmodium Transmission
Corey L. Campbell, Colorado State University
Short Talk: Alteration of Histone Modifications and SREBP Transcription Factor Binding Reveal Differences in Mosquito Midgut Responses to Rift Valley Fever Virus Exposure
Short Talk: Alteration of Histone Modifications and SREBP Transcription Factor Binding Reveal Differences in Mosquito Midgut Responses to Rift Valley Fever Virus Exposure
Joppe Hovius †, Amsterdam UMC
Short Talk: TICK ME: A Novel Human Tick Challenge Model for Dissecting Clinical Manifestations and Immune Signatures of Acquired Tick Resistance
Short Talk: TICK ME: A Novel Human Tick Challenge Model for Dissecting Clinical Manifestations and Immune Signatures of Acquired Tick Resistance
Kevin Maringer †, The Pirbright Institute
Short Talk: The Evolutionary Arms Race Between NF-Κb-Mediated Antiviral Immunity And Orthoflaviviruses Influences Arboviral Vector Tropism and Emergence
Short Talk: The Evolutionary Arms Race Between NF-Κb-Mediated Antiviral Immunity And Orthoflaviviruses Influences Arboviral Vector Tropism and Emergence
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Key Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Arbovirus Infection and Transmission
5:00–7:00 PM
Doug E. Brackney, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
How Flaviviruses Initiate Infection of the Mosquito Midgut
How Flaviviruses Initiate Infection of the Mosquito Midgut
Sarah Merkling, Institut Pasteur
Deciphering Mosquito-Virus Interactions at the Single-Cell Level
Deciphering Mosquito-Virus Interactions at the Single-Cell Level
Gong Cheng, Tsinghua University
A Role for EVs in Mediating Virus-Vector Specificity
A Role for EVs in Mediating Virus-Vector Specificity
Andrii Slonchak, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Spatial Gene Expression Atlas of Aedes Aegypti Reveals Novel Mechanisms of Dengue Virus-Vector Interactions
Spatial Gene Expression Atlas of Aedes Aegypti Reveals Novel Mechanisms of Dengue Virus-Vector Interactions
Erik Turner, University of California, Davis
Short Talk: Exploring The Potential for Aedes Aegypti Based Environmental Spread a Chikungunya Virus Live Attenuated Vaccine, IXCHIQ
Short Talk: Exploring The Potential for Aedes Aegypti Based Environmental Spread a Chikungunya Virus Live Attenuated Vaccine, IXCHIQ
On Own for Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, February 3, 2027
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Poster Setup
8:00–8:30 AM
Poster Viewing
8:15–5:00 PM
Cutting-Edge Strategies for Halting Vector-Borne Disease Transmission
8:30–11:30 AM
Johanna Fraser, Burnet Institute
Determining the Risk of Virus Resistance Developing against Wolbachia in Aedes Aegypti
Determining the Risk of Virus Resistance Developing against Wolbachia in Aedes Aegypti
Omar S. Akbari, University of California, San Diego
Genetic Biocontrol at Scale: Precision Suppression of Arboviral Vectors
Genetic Biocontrol at Scale: Precision Suppression of Arboviral Vectors
Jeremy K Herren, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, icipe
Utilizing Microsporidia to Block Malaria Transmission
Utilizing Microsporidia to Block Malaria Transmission
Sibao Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Harnessing Mosquito Gut Symbiotic Bacteria to Block Malaria Transmission
Harnessing Mosquito Gut Symbiotic Bacteria to Block Malaria Transmission
Chrysoula Kitsou, University of Maryland
Short Talk: A Feeding-Induced Mouthpart-Associated Protein is a Promising Anti-Tick Vaccine Candidate
Short Talk: A Feeding-Induced Mouthpart-Associated Protein is a Promising Anti-Tick Vaccine Candidate
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Panel Discussion 1: From Bench to Field: How to Translate Laboratory Breakthroughs to Actual Control Strategies
11:40–12:40 PM
Lunch
12:40–1:40 PM
Poster Session 2
1:00–2:30 PM
Career Roundtable
2:30–3:30 PM
Panel Discussion 2: Global Virus Network (Joint)
3:30–4:30 PM
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Controlling Transmission in Endemic Regions: Field Applications of Novel Control Strategies
5:00–7:00 PM
Aboulaye Diabaté, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso
From Entomopathogenic Fungi to Gene Drive: Lessons from the Field
From Entomopathogenic Fungi to Gene Drive: Lessons from the Field
David Malone, Gates Foundation
Precision Vector Control: Rethinking Insecticides for Targeted Transmission Control
Precision Vector Control: Rethinking Insecticides for Targeted Transmission Control
Sara N. Mitchell, Debug Project At Google
Wolbachia-Mediated Sterility to Suppress Mosquito Populations
Wolbachia-Mediated Sterility to Suppress Mosquito Populations
Brian D Foy, Colorado State University
Short Talk: Current Progress on Medicated Bird Feed to Control Arbovirus Transmission
Short Talk: Current Progress on Medicated Bird Feed to Control Arbovirus Transmission
Vanessa Ngannang †, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases
Short Talk: The Argininosuccinate Lyase Gene Exacerbates Pyrethroid Resistance in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles funestus Through Cis-Regulatory Elements and Allelic Variation
Short Talk: The Argininosuccinate Lyase Gene Exacerbates Pyrethroid Resistance in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles funestus Through Cis-Regulatory Elements and Allelic Variation
On Own for Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Thursday, February 4, 2027
Breakfast
7:30–8:30 AM
Vector Physiology: A Key Determinant in Pathogen Transmission
8:30–11:30 AM
Laura Dickson, University of Texas of Medical Branch
The Effects of Dehydration and Humidity on Mosquito Susceptibility to Infection
The Effects of Dehydration and Humidity on Mosquito Susceptibility to Infection
Flaminia Catteruccia, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Unraveling Key Mosquito-Parasite Interactions to Block Malaria Transmission
Unraveling Key Mosquito-Parasite Interactions to Block Malaria Transmission
Brian L. Weiss, Yale School of Public Health
An Integral Role for Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Tsetse Fly Biology
An Integral Role for Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Tsetse Fly Biology
Petr Kopacek, Czech Academy of Science
Understanding Tick Biology through Multi-Omics Approaches
Understanding Tick Biology through Multi-Omics Approaches
Eric Calvo, NIH
Short Talk: From Enzymes to Scavengers: Functional Evolution of Tsetse Fly Salivary Proteins
Short Talk: From Enzymes to Scavengers: Functional Evolution of Tsetse Fly Salivary Proteins
Agustin Rolandelli, Institut Pasteur de Lille (U1019-Inserm)
Short Talk: From Gut to Hemocytes: Tissue-Specific Responses to Blood Feeding and Yersinia pestis Infection in Fleas
Short Talk: From Gut to Hemocytes: Tissue-Specific Responses to Blood Feeding and Yersinia pestis Infection in Fleas
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Lunch
11:30–12:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Pathogen Determinants Mediating Vector Infection
2:30–4:30 PM
Ailsa Craven, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Short Talk: Unraveling The Role of Plasmodium Falciparum Ookinete Micronemes in Midgut Traversal
Short Talk: Unraveling The Role of Plasmodium Falciparum Ookinete Micronemes in Midgut Traversal
Zhong Wan, Radboud University Medical Center
Short Talk: Deep Behavioral Phenotyping of Pathogen Infected Mosquitoes Reveals Species-Specific Behavior Changes Enhancing Transmission
Short Talk: Deep Behavioral Phenotyping of Pathogen Infected Mosquitoes Reveals Species-Specific Behavior Changes Enhancing Transmission
Jason M Park †, Washington State University
Short Talk: Tick specific Anaplasma effector AteA localizes with the actin cytoskeleton and binds cellular signaling proteins Crk and RasGAP
Short Talk: Tick specific Anaplasma effector AteA localizes with the actin cytoskeleton and binds cellular signaling proteins Crk and RasGAP
Rhoel R. Dinglasan, University of Florida
Short Talk: An N-Glycosylation Mutation in the Gc Structural Protein Head Domain of Oropouche Virus (OROV) Is Associated with Transmissible Infection In Mosquitoes
Short Talk: An N-Glycosylation Mutation in the Gc Structural Protein Head Domain of Oropouche Virus (OROV) Is Associated with Transmissible Infection In Mosquitoes
Godfrey Nattoh, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
An Antiviral Lectin Blocks Orthoflavivirus Infection of Aedes Aegypti Through Nonstructural Protein 1 (NS1) Inhibition
An Antiviral Lectin Blocks Orthoflavivirus Infection of Aedes Aegypti Through Nonstructural Protein 1 (NS1) Inhibition
Meghan Hermance, University of South Alabama
Short Talk: Prior Host Exposure to a Tick-Borne Flavivirus Reshapes the Cutaneous Niche for Viral Co-Feeding Transmission
Short Talk: Prior Host Exposure to a Tick-Borne Flavivirus Reshapes the Cutaneous Niche for Viral Co-Feeding Transmission
Alexander Rouvinski, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IMRIC
Short Talk: Novel Membrane Fusogens from Insect Restricted Viruses of Negevirus Taxon
Short Talk: Novel Membrane Fusogens from Insect Restricted Viruses of Negevirus Taxon
Tanwee Das De, Indian Institute of Science and Education Research
Short Talk: From Odor to Outbreak: Deciphering odor detection mechanisms and Pathogen Transmission
Short Talk: From Odor to Outbreak: Deciphering odor detection mechanisms and Pathogen Transmission
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Navigating the Vector Landscape: Pathogen Strategies from Infection to Transmission
5:00–6:15 PM
Dana K Shaw, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
The Molecular Tug of War between Tick Immunity and Pathogen Persistence
The Molecular Tug of War between Tick Immunity and Pathogen Persistence
Jack Sunter, Oxford Brookes University
Sticking Around: Leishmania Adhesion during Sand Fly infection
Sticking Around: Leishmania Adhesion during Sand Fly infection
Brandy St. Laurent, Cornell University
Short Talk: Malaria Parasite Development in the Invasive Urban Malaria Vector Anopheles Stephensi Under Variable Humidity and Temperature
Short Talk: Malaria Parasite Development in the Invasive Urban Malaria Vector Anopheles Stephensi Under Variable Humidity and Temperature
Closing Keynote Address
6:15–7:05 PM
Carolina V. Barillas-Mury, NIAID, National Institutes of Health
The Role of Midgut Stem Cells During Plasmodium Infection of Mosquitoes
The Role of Midgut Stem Cells During Plasmodium Infection of Mosquitoes
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
7:05–7:15 PM
On Own for Dinner
7:15–8:15 PM
Friday, February 5, 2027
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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