Bretta Hixson
Ph.D. student in Entomology
Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and zika affect millions of people every year. The pathogens responsible for these diseases interact extensively with their mosquito hosts, and many of the most crucial of these interactions are concentrated in the midgut. Viruses and parasites must invade the epithelial cells of the midgut and overcome innate defenses in order to reach the salivary glands of the mosquito and achieve transmission to new hosts.
My research focuses on using cell biology, transcriptomics and functional genetics to elucidate cell-specific responses to infection in the midgut of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a major arboviral vector. I will particularly explore mechanisms of midgut repair following damage by invading pathogens as well as gut plasticity in response to nutrients or mating. Another important goal of my work is to identify genetic markers, generate transgenic mosquito lines, and create new tools for studying the Aedes midgut.
I have been a member of the lab since 2017. Before coming to Cornell, I received a B.S. in Biology from Houghton College, and an M.P.H. from Boston University.
Email: blh228@cornell.edu
My research focuses on using cell biology, transcriptomics and functional genetics to elucidate cell-specific responses to infection in the midgut of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a major arboviral vector. I will particularly explore mechanisms of midgut repair following damage by invading pathogens as well as gut plasticity in response to nutrients or mating. Another important goal of my work is to identify genetic markers, generate transgenic mosquito lines, and create new tools for studying the Aedes midgut.
I have been a member of the lab since 2017. Before coming to Cornell, I received a B.S. in Biology from Houghton College, and an M.P.H. from Boston University.
Email: blh228@cornell.edu