TEAM

We are a diverse group of scientists from Honduras, the United States, Mexico, India, and Pakistan at different levels in our scientific careers, from early-stage principal investigator to undergraduate students. What we all have in common is an innate curiosity for science, three/four-legged creatures (a.k.a. ticks), and the pathogens they harbor.

Adela Oliva Chavez Ph.D.

Assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. Her interest focuses on the molecular host-pathogen and vector-pathogen interactions. She is interested in how vector-borne pathogens influence host and vector cellular responses, such as immune responses, cellular trafficking, and vesicle secretion. She is also interested in finding management alternatives to stop tick feeding and pathogen transmission in animal systems and in humans. She has published her research in several high impact journals, including Nature Communications, PNAS, PLoS Pathogens, and others. She has also contributed to a book chapter on “Protozoal and Rickettsial vaccines” in “Veterinary vaccines” by FAO and another on “Intracellular Pathogens II: Rickettsiales” in “The Way Forward: Improving Genetic Systems”. During her 3 years at Texas A&M University she has secured around $1M dollars in support of her research program as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). For more information visit: https://entomology.wisc.edu/directory/adela-oliva-chavez/

Stephanie Guzman Valencia (Ph.D. student)

I am interested in the role of genetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and host-associated genetic differentiation (HAD) in tick populations and their role in vector borne diseases. Outside of the lab, I enjoy walking with my family, traveling, playing with colors, sharing a cup of coffee with friends and I love eating pastries.

Brenda Galvan (Ph.D. student)

Hi, my name is Brenda Galvan. I am a PhD student focused on understanding what roles microRNAs play during tick feeding. I have dedicated my academic career to understanding vector-host interactions and how we can use this knowledge to help others. I love science, naps, and food:)

Sarah Durski (undergraduate student)

My name is Sarah Durski, and I am a Junior at UW-Madison. I am interested in cancer biology as well as the genetic basis of infection and disease. I hope to one day be a researcher and get my doctoral degree. I enjoy reading, hanging out with my dog, and playing games on my laptop. I also love to travel, and the photo of me was actually taken in Spain!

Kavyasri Karumuri (Under-graduate student)

My name is Kavyasri Karumuri, and I am a sophomore at UW-Madison studying Neurobiology and Information Science. While I’m on the pre-med track, I also have a strong passion for pursuing neuroscience research in the long run. In my free time, I enjoy reading, singing, and watching super long-running TV shows!

Nathan Lin (Graduate student)

My research interests currently revolve around biodiversity and public health. I am particularly interested in the systematics and ecology of ticks – understanding how the environment and genetics play a role in the distributions and success of vectors, their interactions with and vector competence for pathogens, and the effects of their activity on humans, at individual, population, and species scales. Over the next few years, I will be investigating genomic and transcriptomic differences between various generalist and specialist Ixodes species, to better understand what affects the range of hosts ticks can parasitize.

I grew up in California and started my entomology studies at UC Berkeley with ground beetle taxonomy, but I developed a fascination with ticks over the last few years so I am here studying them now. Outside of academics, I love cooking, bug photography, bouldering, music, reading, and coding.

Robert Alexander (Under-graduate student)

My name is Bobby Alexander and I am a sophomore at the UW-Madison. I am majoring in Pharmacology/Toxicology and Biology. I am especially interested in the drug development process and medical devices. While majoring in STEM I also have a strong interest in business especially finance. In my free time I enjoy playing hockey and spending time with my friends.

Meet the Team

Former team members

Undergraduate student

Cristina Harvey

She worked at the Chavez’ lab since 2021 until she graduated in 2023. She was a biomedical sciences major! I am premed, and my favorite color is pink. If I was a kitchen utensil, I would be a fork! She is now in a nursing program.

Undergraduate student

Sydney Orsborn

She started in the lab as a junior in animal science major, biomedical science minor pursuing a certification in public health entomology. She stayed until the lab moved to Wisconsin. She was accepted in the Veterinary program at Texas Tech University.

Visiting scholar

Carita Ribeiro

She was a visinting PhD student in the Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health (Goiás, Brazil), and visiting research at Texas A&M University, investigating the biological basis concerning control of vectors of medical and veterinary importance. She is now a post-doc in Goias, Brazil. Who wants to be a princess when you can be a scientist?

Undergraduate student

Branden Pierce

He worked at the Chavez’ lab since 2021 until he graduated in 2023. He graduated with a Forensic Entomology degree and how he is doing a Master's in Microbiology at the University of Mississippi.

Post doctoral fellow

Julia Gonzalez

She joined the Chavez tick Lab from Spain in 2023. She is interested in ecto-parasites and is a phenomenal cook. She is working as a Research Scientist at Sarah Hammer's lab at Texas A&M University.

Graduate student

Jacob Underwood

He graduated from the Chavez’ lab in 2022 with a Master's degree. He is now a Medical Entomologist for the Navy.

Post doctoral fellow

Tean Zaher

Tean (DVM, M.Phil., PhD.) is a Veterinarian, specialized in parasitology. She has been working on the epidemiology and control of ticks (by application of nanomaterials). Tean has worked on novel combinations that are effective in halting the major life cycle stages of Hyalomma ticks, having public health importance. She has also worked on potential eco-toxic and genotoxic impacts of using nanomaterials on the off-targets. Her hobbies are: online learning through MOOCs, calligraphy and sightseeing.

Undergraduate student

Abagail Leal

My name is Abagail Leal, and I recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Entomology and a certificate in Public Health Entomology. I am a strong advocate for preventative medicine and I love doing lab work. I am continuing my education at MD Anderson for a program in molecular genetic technology. Eventually I would love to pursue a medical degree in pediatrics.

Undergraduate student

Jillian Amstrong

My name is Jillian Armstrong, and I am a sophomore here at UW-Madison. I am majoring in genetics and genomics, and I am especially interested in epigenetics and genetic disorders. My goal is to one day become a researcher in the field of genetics and to get my PhD. I enjoy dancing, spending time with friends, and cooking!