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. Medical entomology, Vector ecology and behavior, Vector control, Vector-borne disease epidemiology

[2023] Aedes albopictus host odor preference does not drive observed variation in feeding patterns across field populations, Scientific Reports, Fikrig, Kara, Rose, Noah, Burkett-Cadena, Nathan, Kamgang, Basile, Leisnham, Paul, Mangan, Jamie, Ponlawat, Alongkot, Rothman, Sarah, Stenn, Tanise, McBride, Carolyn, Harrington, Laura, 2023 [2023] Utilization of a zoo for mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity analysis, arboviral surveillance, and blood feeding patterns, Journal of Medical Entomology, Briggs, Cierra, Osman, Rayan, Newman, Brent, Fikrig, Kara, Danziger, Philip, Mader, Emily, Colburn, Margarita, Harrington, Laura, Moncayo, Abelardo, 2023