EPPIcenter Seminar: Flaminia Catteruccia

Professor Flaminia Catteruccia is Associate Professor at the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the study of the molecular basis of reproductive biology in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the major malaria vectors, and of the factors that shape the development of the malaria parasite in the mosquito vector. Her research aims at answering basic biological questions as well as developing new tools for vector control programs.

Professor Catteruccia trained as a molecular entomologist at Imperial College London, where she achieved the first genetic manipulation of Anopheles mosquitoes. She has contributed to the generation of a number of tools for molecular and genetic studies in mosquitoes, with the goal to aid the implementation of novel strategies for mosquito control. Her work includes field studies in a number of African countries to confirm and expand the laboratory findings of her research group.

Her research group studies the molecular and behavioral parameters that are key to the ability of Anopheles mosquitoes to transmit malaria, with special emphasis on reproductive biology and vector-Plasmodium interactions. The aim is to provide crucial knowledge to aid the development of new, effective tools for mosquito and malaria control. A key component of their research includes fieldwork studies in Africa on mating biology and natural malaria infections. These studies, in collaboration with Kamuzu University Malawi, ICIPE in Kenya and other partners, are expanding our understanding of mosquito reproductive biology, mosquito-microbiota interactions, and natural malaria infections.

Join the EPPIcenter online in welcoming Dr Catteruccia

The EPPIcenter at UCSF aims to advance the understanding of infectious diseases to reduce global morbidity and mortality. We believe that the greatest success in the fight against infectious diseases will come through a highly interdisciplinary, systems epidemiology approach, connecting traditionally siloed theoretical work, technology development, generation and collection of empiric data, and analysis using statistical and mathematical modeling.