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Post-Graduate Researcher Research Interests |
I am interested in the relationship between Plasmodium falciparum with the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae and the implications for effective vector control in Africa.
Many malaria prevention programs rely on the use of insecticide-impregnated bednets and indoor residual spraying. I am currently studying the kdr mutation responsible for pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae and hope to better understand the links between pyrethroid application, for home and agricultural use, and the rate at which insects incur resistance.
With the current technology to engineer mosquitoes that are refractory to malaria, I am also interested in studying the effects of malaria infection on mosquito immunity and fitness. We know that Plasmodium infection may come at a cost in mortality and fitness to the mosquito; however the costs of mounting an immune response are high and often disturb the physiological processes of mosquito development. Understanding the competitive ability of refractory mosquitoes and those that are susceptible to malaria is paramount to a sustainable malaria eradication program.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Population Genomics of the Mosquito
Anopheles gambiae in Africa
I am currently analyzing microsatellite polymorphisms to
understand population structure of An gambiae in Mali and Cameroon.
Genetic Variation of Pyrethroid Knock-down Resistance Gene inAnopheles gambiae
I am sequencing the voltage-gated sodium channel gene to
determine the origin of the kdr allele on the island of Bioko.
S. Lawler, L. Reimer, T. Thiemann, J. Fritz, K. Parise, D. Feliz and D. Elnaiem (2007) Effects of vegetation control on mosquitoes in seasonal freshwater wetlands. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 23:66-70.
Slotman M.A. , F. Tripet, A.J. Cornel, C.R. Meneses, Y. Lee, L.J. Reimer, T. C. Thiemann, E. Fondjo, A. Fofana, S.F. Traoré and G.C. Lanzaro (2007) Evidence for subdivision within the M molecular form of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Molecular Ecology. In Press.
Tripet F., J. A. Wright, A. Cornel, A. Fofana, R. MacAbee, C.R. Meneses, L.J. Reimer, M.A. Slotman, T. C. Thiemann, G. Dolo, S. Traoré and G.C. Lanzaro. Longitudinal survey of knockdown resistance to pyrethroid (kdr) in Mali, West Africa, and evidence of its emergence in the Bamako form of Anopheles gambiae s.s. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. In Press.
Slotman M.A., L. Reimer, T. Thiemann, G. Dolo, E. Fondjo, and G.C. Lanzaro (2006) Reduced recombination rate and genetic differentiation between the M and S forms of Anopheles gambiae. Genetics 174: 2081-2093.
L. Reimer, F. Tripet, M. Slotman, A. Spielman, E. Fondjo and G. Lanzaro (2006) Distribution of Resistance Genes in Mosquitoes: A Case Study of Anopheles gambiae on Bioko Island. Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, Proceedings and Papers of the 2006 Annual Conference (Volume 74)
L. Reimer, F. Tripet, M. Slotman, A. Spielman and G.C. Lanzaro (2005). An unusual distribution of the kdr gene among populations of Anopheles gambiae on the Island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. Insect Molecular Biology 14: 683-688.
BS Biology, Minor in Chemistry, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA May 2000
Post-Graduate Researcher
UC Davis Department of Entomology, Laboratory of Gregory Lanzaro
December 2003 to present
Research Assistant
Princeton University and U.C. Davis, Laboratory of Claire Kremen,
Davis, CA
Jan 2003- Dec 2003
Laboratory and Field
Volunteer
Medical Research Council, Farafenni, The Gambia
Winter 2001
Science
Teacher
U.S. Peace Corps, The Gambia, West Africa
2000-2002
Teaching
Assistant
General, Analytical and Organic Chemistry
University of Puget Sound
1997-2000
Laboratory
Assistant
Chemistry Department, University of Puget Sound
1996-1999
Environmental Chemical
Analyst
Northcreek Analytical Laboratories, Bothell, WA
Summer 1999
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