A few species of mosquitoes, ticks and other blood sucking insects have been spreading across the world with humans for centuries, possibly millennia. They and the pathogens they transmit (vector) can kill or hurt us, our companion animals, livestock and wildlife.

Their study can explain the past, help the present, and inform the future.

We examine the genetic signatures of invasive and emerging species especially disease vectors and agricultural pests. We develop tools to reveal incipient infestations, identify which traits are associated with expansion and damage and optimize management strategies. Of note, rapid evolution in invasive species may help us understand the effects of Global Climate Change on disease epidemiology.