Kara Fikrig

My research addresses questions at the intersection of entomology and public health, with a focus on understanding the drivers and barriers of mosquito invasions. I am particularly interested in the spread of Aedes aegypti in the Peruvian Amazon and Ae. albopictus in Pennsylvania.

In the Amazon, our team has documented the movement of the dengue vector from urban centers to remote rural communities, and we are currently investigating community characteristics that influence invasion patterns. In parallel, we conduct epidemiological studies to understand how this expanded vector distribution affects dengue virus transmission across the region. Using community participatory research approaches, we evaluate the effectiveness of vector control efforts in rural communities. Because human behavior is a critical component of these dynamics, we incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews. All of our work is highly collaborative, drawing on expertise from population genetics, modeling, and other fields to broaden the questions we can address.

In Pennsylvania, my research will explore complementary questions related to the invasion of Ae. albopictus, as well as broader aspects of mosquito ecology and behavior. I am particularly interested in the feeding ecology and behavior of mosquitoes, which are both fascinating from a biological perspective and essential for assessing public health risk.

Lab Members

• Biologist Arnold Noreiga
• Biologist Rosa Rodriguez

Lab Openings

I am currently recruiting a Master’s or Ph.D. student to focus on research projects in Pennsylvania, and a postdoctoral researcher to focus on projects in Peru. If you are interested in joining the lab, please email me at karafikrig@psu.edu with your CV and a brief statement describing why you want to join the lab and how your previous experiences and skills would prepare you for the research we conduct.