Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases
52 researchers across 6 institutions
Research in vector-borne infectious diseases investigates the complex interactions between pathogens, their insect or animal vectors, and human or animal hosts. This field examines the ecology of disease transmission, including how environmental factors influence vector populations and pathogen prevalence. Studies employ molecular techniques to identify and characterize disease agents, track their evolution, and understand host-pathogen relationships. Investigations also focus on the development and evaluation of diagnostic tools, preventative measures, and therapeutic strategies to mitigate the impact of these diseases on public health and animal well-being.
This research holds particular relevance for Arkansas, a state with significant agricultural and natural resource sectors. Understanding vector-borne diseases is crucial for protecting livestock, poultry, and companion animals, which are vital to the state's economy. Furthermore, the presence of diverse ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, creates habitats for various vectors that can transmit diseases affecting human populations. Public health initiatives in Arkansas benefit from research that informs surveillance, prevention, and control strategies for diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which are endemic to the region.
This area of study draws upon expertise from public health, microbiology, genomics, and ecology. The research involves collaborations across multiple Arkansas institutions, engaging faculty and graduate students in addressing critical health and environmental challenges.
Top Researchers
| Name | Institution | h-index | Citations | Career Stage | Badges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Moore | UAMS | 51 | 8,618 | High Impact | |
| Allen L. Szalanski | University of Arkansas | 31 | 3,348 | High Impact | |
| Ashley P. G. Dowling | University of Arkansas | 30 | 3,661 | Grant PI High Impact | |
| William Bellamy | UAMS | 30 | 4,739 | High Impact | |
| Jason S. Stumhofer | UAMS | 26 | 5,308 | Grant PI High Impact | |
| Jon S. Blevins | UAMS | 26 | 3,270 | Grant PI High Impact | |
| Swayamjit Ray | UA Little Rock | 21 | 1,499 | High Impact | |
| Jason K. Moore | University of Arkansas | 18 | 2,588 | ||
| Bobby L. Boyanton | UAMS | 16 | 1,156 | ||
| Andy Bauleni | UAMS | 16 | 1,010 | ||
| Tanja McKay | Arkansas State University | 15 | 664 | ||
| Emmanuel Addai | UA Little Rock | 14 | 457 | ||
| Emily G McDermott | University of Arkansas | 11 | 455 | ||
| Henry Bishop | UAMS | 11 | 566 | ||
| Andrew Bauleni | UAMS | 9 | 274 | ||
| Michael G. Davis | Arkansas Tech University | 9 | 354 | ||
| Neelam Joshi | UAMS | 8 | 463 | ||
| Kelly Loftin | University of Arkansas | 7 | 160 | ||
| Tran Ngoc Phuong | UA Little Rock | 6 | 105 | ||
| Jeanette M. Ramos | UAMS | 6 | 95 |
Related Research Areas
Connected Research Areas
Topics that share active collaborators with Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases in Arkansas. Pairs are ranked by collaboration density relative to expected co-authorship under a random null. This describes existing connections, not investment recommendations.
Strategic Outlook
Global signals from OpenAlex for this research area: where the field is growing, how concentrated leadership is, and where Arkansas sits relative to the world's top-100 institutions. Descriptive only — surfaced as input to the conversation about where to place bets, not a recommendation. Signal confidence: LOW
Top US institutions in this area
- 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1,758
- 2 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 1,207
- 3 Yale University 1,112
- 4 National Institutes of Health 1,084
- 5 Oklahoma State University 897
Cross-Institution Connections
Researchers at different institutions with overlapping expertise in Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases.