Our lab research includes investigating the molecular determinants in alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), associated with tick bites, and the tick physiological pathways, which can be targeted for tick management.

Specifically; we are currently exploring the potential several tick species to induce AGS, including those tick species prevalent in Arizona and the Western areas of the United States.

Our lab is also focused on the characterization of the tick microbiome and the understanding of its role in tick-vector competence. One of our short-term goals is to characterize tick bacterial strains to identify taxa that can be exploited for tick management and mitigation of tick vector competence.