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Research Interests

I am broadly interested in both the theoretical and applied aspects of invasion ecology. Specifically, I am interested in the ecological consequences of biological invasions.​
 

For my dissertation research I am elucidating the mechanisms by which mosquito populations dynamics is influenced by environmental heterogeneity created by invasive aquatic macrophytes in the California Delta, one of several areas in the state where West Nile Virus incidences have been on the rise in the past several years. The mosquito species I am studying is Culex pipiens, a primary vector of West Nile Virus. Included in my studies are three invasive aquatic macrophyte species -- Water hyacinth,Eichhornia crassipes (S. America), Water primrose, Ludwigia hexapetala (C. and S. America), and Brazilian waterweed, Egeria densa (S. America). Each of these plant species are of a specific form: floating, emergent, or submergent, a characteristic that may influence the type of microhabitat provided to mosquito populations. 

 

 

Adult C. pipiens, a primary vector of West Nile Virus.

Water hyacinth, a highly invasive floating aquatic

macrophytic species. 

Water primrose, an invasive emergent aquatic 

macrophytic species.

Brazilian waterweed, an invasive submergent aquatic

macrophyte species. 

Projects

I. Seasonal field survey of Culex mosquitoes among patches of various species of invasive aquatic vegetation

 

 

 

II. Adult mosquito ovipositional behavior as a function of invasive aquatic macrophyte taxonomy and density

 

 

 

III. Larval mosquito predator-prey interactions with mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as a function of invasive aquatic macrophyte taxonomy and density

 

 

 

IV. Egg-to-adult mosquito development time as a function of invasive aquatic macrophyte taxonomy and density

 

 

 

V. Invasive aquatic plant-derived volatile phytochemicals as mosquito semiochemicals 

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