World Mosquito Day: How Baylor Biologists Battle Mosquito Vector Diseases

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-327-8012
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Sir Ronald Ross made a groundbreaking discovery about how malaria is transmitted to humans. The culprit, he discovered, is a tiny insect that is one of the world’s biggest spreaders of disease – the female Anopheles mosquito. World Mosquito Day, observed each year on Aug. 20, raises worldwide awareness of the ongoing dangers of vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and the ongoing efforts to combat the world’s deadliest creature. 

Mosquitoes are global agents of the spread of diseases – like malaria, dengue, Zika and West Nile virus – which lead to more than a million human deaths per year. To fight this persistent global health threat, Baylor University biology researchers Tamar Carter, Ph.D., Jason Pitts, Ph.D., and Cheolo Sim, Ph.D., and their respective labs are working to understand mosquito biology, behavior and ecology leading to breakthroughs in disease prevention and control strategies, ultimately saving millions of lives worldwide. 

“While most people assume that we are not at risk of these diseases in the U.S., events are showing up here with transmitted cases of malaria in 2023 in Florida, Texas and Maryland,” Pitts said. “This was highly unusual and speaks to the ongoing need for vector research, surveillance and control.”

Additionally, mosquito research offers valuable insights into broader topics like genetics, climate change and public health, making it a vital area of study for students to develop innovative solutions to global health challenges.

Genetic analysis, data science in The Carter Lab

Tamar Carter, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and tropical disease biologist, oversees The Carter Lab at Baylor, where she researches the spread of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, in East Africa and the factors that help it thrive. She does this by analyzing the genes of mosquitoes and using data science to model malaria transmission and investigate mosquito-parasite interactions. She also works with health organizations in East Africa to monitor local mosquito populations.

Her recent research, published in the journal Molecular Ecology, reveals how the malaria-spreading mosquito is establishing itself in new regions, such as in the Horn of Africa, posing a significant public health threat. The study underscores the importance of genetic analysis in tracking and managing the spread of invasive species, a key focus within the Carter Lab.

“Understanding the genetic structure and spread patterns of Anopheles stephensi is crucial for developing effective control strategies,” Carter said. “Our findings highlight the need for heightened surveillance and targeted vector control in identified hubs to combat the spread of malaria.”

Carter’s research focuses on tropical diseases, which tend to impact the most underserved people in this world. It’s eye-opening work for undergraduate students who conduct research in her lab.

“One thing I really love about Baylor is just how mission-oriented the students are, and that comes from a very personal place for them. I love that they're getting that research experience, but I hope the type of work we do at least grows a sense of curiosity for the students about other questions that still need to be asked about how infectious diseases are spread, what's the global health impact of that?” Carter said. “From a career standpoint, I hope we encourage students to keep an open mind about how you could impact health in the career path that you choose, outside of maybe the more traditional approaches. You can have a pretty broad impact by facilitating this type of research or going into the science field yourself.”

Arthropod Sensory Biology & Neuroethology Lab

Through his Arthropod Sensory Biology & Neuroethology Lab, Jason Pitts, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Biology of Global Health 4+1 Program, works to understand odor receptors in mosquitoes. The ability of mosquitoes to detect chemicals through smell is essential to their survival, especially for behaviors like female mosquitoes finding blood meals. 

“By more fully understanding the sensory mechanisms that drive innate behaviors, we can conceptualize novel ways to reduce the impact of mosquitoes and other disease-transmitting insects (and ticks) on human health,” Pitts said. “Through this research, we could design more efficient odor-baited traps for mosquito surveillance or local population control and develop novel repellents that are more environmentally friendly than current active ingredients to reduce biting.” 

Pitts appreciates the pivotal role that students play at academic institutions. 

“In my research group, graduate students take on lead roles in experimental design, data collection and science communication and also mentor undergraduates who assist with research projects,” Pitts said. “These experiences are invaluable in preparing our students for their future careers and provide hands-on experience in biological research which is irreplaceable in training the next generation of scientists.”

Vector Biology Laboratory

Cheolo Sim, Ph.D.,  professor of biology, oversees the Vector Biology Laboratory, where the goal is to create novel genetic control strategies by combining molecular biology, genomics and genetics through a focus on two  main areas: 

• Studying the genes of insects that spread diseases to humans. 
• Understanding how the mosquito Culex pipiens – which carries West Nile Virus and other deadly diseases – survives through seasonal changes. 

“A big gap in our knowledge is how mosquitoes and other insects that spread diseases manage their development across different seasons,” Cheolo said. “In temperate regions, mosquitoes are only active for a few months and spend the rest of the year in a dormant state called diapause. We are studying the genes involved in this process to better understand how mosquitoes adapt, which can help us discover new ways to control populations by disrupting their development or metabolism.”

The motto in Sim’s lab is “driven by science, guided by compassion.” He said that it can be easy for scientists to get immersed in their own research and this motto reminds him and his students that the spirit of research is to help people around the world from being infected by these infectious diseases.

“Researching vector-borne diseases provides students with a deeper understanding of the global health challenges posed by these diseases,” Sim said. “By engaging in this research, undergraduates develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while gaining awareness of the social, economic and biological factors influencing disease transmission. This experience also prepares them for careers in public health, medicine and research, where they can make significant contributions to global health.”

Baylor faculty and students understand that studying mosquitoes leads to the development of innovative strategies to combat vector-borne diseases, enhances understanding of vector-borne illnesses and contributes to safeguarding global health. Through focused research, students and scholars are helping address one of the most pressing public health challenges today.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website. 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.