BRS John Soghigian: Tracking Mosquito Diversity Through Time and Space: How Evolutionary Perspectives Inform Vector Biology

Zoom webinar link for remote attendees:

https://ubc.zoom.us/j/66364136696?pwd=OVp2UW10Ulp5eCtncTVzQ3pvWmFZUT09

Passcode: 202209

host: Ben Matthews

Title: Tracking Mosquito Diversity Through Time and Space: How Evolutionary Perspectives Inform Vector Biology

Abstract: Mosquitoes are frequently considered among the most deadly animals in the world, owed to their propensity to transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. This has understandably resulted in a focus on the most important species of public health concern, which has in turn lead to significant gaps in our knowledge of the biology, behavior, and evolutionary relationships of many mosquito species. Dr. John Soghigian will share three examples of what we can learn when we consider mosquitoes in context with their relatives – from species groups to the family as a whole.

Bio: Dr. John Soghigian's research focuses on the causes and consequences of parasite and vector diversity. He uses a range of genomic tools and evolutionary methods to understand why some vector arthropods are so problematic, while others - often their near relatives - are benign. John completed his PhD at Clark University in 2016, where he focused on coevolution and host-parasite associations in mosquitoes.  He then completed postdoctoral training first at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and then at North Carolina State University, where his research shifted towards using genomics to understand the evolutionary origins of species and phenotypes in arthropods of veterinary and medical importance. He joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary in June 2021.