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Jason Rasgon

Professor of Entomology and Disease Epidemiology, Pennsylvania State University
The Rasgon Laboratory integrates population biology, ecology, molecular tools and theory to address fundamental and applied questions related to vector arthropods and the pathogens they transmit, with emphasis on release of genetically-modified mosquitoes for disease control, pathogen transmission dynamics and bioterrorism issues.

My broad research interests are in the relationship between the genetics of vector populations and the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens. I address this broad question using both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Specifically, I am interested in 1) how natural genetic variation in wild vector populations conditions phenotypic variation in pathogen transmission and 2) how natural genetic variation in wild vector populations can be artificially altered to have a directed effect on pathogen transmission dynamics.

A major research focus of my laboratory is the development, evaluation and deployment of methods to spread introduced transgenes into natural vector populations. Ongoing projects include creation of methods to infect the mosquito Anopheles gambiae with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia, development of viral-based systems for gene expression and drive in Anopheles mosquitoes and studies of the relationship between ecological factors and the success of transgenic mosquito releases. Other major questions under investigation include examining relationships between vector population genetic structure and the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens, using Culex tarsalis and West Nile virus as a model system.

I am looking for motivated people who are interested in applying a wide array of integrated techniques to investigate these important and exciting questions.

Genetically modified mosquitoes may be best weapon for curbing disease transmission

Aug 21, 2018 16:23 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health

Mosquitoes are some of the most deadly creatures on the planet. They carry viruses, bacteria and parasites, which they transmit through bites, infecting some 700 million people and killing more than 1 million each...

Economy

Impact of Iran-Israel conflict on Stocks, Gold and Bitcoin

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice. The information provided is for general purposes only. No information, materials, services and other content provided on this page constitute a solicitation, recommendation,...

Japan Posts 7.7% Growth in Machinery Orders

In a striking development that looks set to invigorate Japans economic prospects, a key gauge of capital spending in the country has seen its most significant jump in over a year. According to Cabinet Office data released...

How cuts to marginal income tax could boost the UK’s stagnant economic growth

The British prime minister recently claimed the UK economy has turned a corner. Rishi Sunak said inflation figures were encouraging, and proclaimed that 2024 would be the year Britain bounces back. According to his...

A sustainable future begins at ground level

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a call to action in global partnership. By 2023 it appears that our progress has been far from satisfactory in achieving these...

Digital trade protocol for Africa: why it matters, what’s in it and what’s still missing

In February 2024, African heads of states adopted a draft protocol to regulate digital trade within the continent. This significant yet challenging course for Africas digital economy fits into the broader trade agreement,...

Politics

Nvidia RTX 4090D Embroiled in US-China Tech Rivalry; South Korea Navigates Chip Export Dilemma

The U.S. government has tightened export restrictions on high-performance semiconductor chips to China, including the Nvidia RTX 4090D, and is urging South Korea to enforce similar curbs, marking a significant escalation...

Canada needs a national strategy for homeless refugee claimants

One year after the federal government closed Roxham Road, refugee claims in Canada continue to increase: there were 143,785 in 2023 compared to 91,730 in 2022. The surprise announcement in March 2023 to modify Canadas...

Who will Trump pick as his running mate?

Being second in line for leadership of the most powerful country in the world is not an easy job. But for Mike Pence, vice president under Donald Trump, things were even harder than usual. As insurrectionists descended...

US and Japan Boost AI, Semiconductor Alliance; EU Eyes Reduction in China Dependence

Japan and the United States are poised to deepen ties in the high-tech sector, signaling a strategic move to enhance their global partnership with a focus on artificial intelligence and semiconductor...

US Finalizes Ban List for Chinese Chipmakers; Boosts Mexico Semiconductor Ties

The United States is finalizing a list of Chinese chip factories banned from receiving vital technology, aiming to curb Beijings tech advancements amid national security concerns. Concurrently, a US-Mexico semiconductor...

Science

Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains

The James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST for short, is one of the most advanced telescopes ever built. Planning for JWST began over 25 years ago, and construction efforts spanned over a decade. It was launched into space on...

US media coverage of new science less likely to mention researchers with African and East Asian names

When one Chinese national recently petitioned the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a permanent resident, he thought his chances were pretty good. As an accomplished biologist, he figured that news...

If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it

Europa is one of the largest of more than 90 moons in orbit around the planet Jupiter. It is also one of the best places to look for alien life. Often termed an ocean world by scientists, observations to date strongly...

Exploding stars are rare but emit torrents of radiation − if one happened close enough to Earth, it could threaten life on the planet

Stars like the Sun are remarkably constant. They vary in brightness by only 0.1% over years and decades, thanks to the fusion of hydrogen into helium that powers them. This process will keep the Sun shining steadily for...

An eclipse for everyone – how visually impaired students can ‘get a feel for’ eclipses

Many people in the U.S. will have an opportunity to witness nearly four minutes of a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, as it moves from southern Texas to Maine. But in the U.S., over 7 million people are blind...

Technology

Polestar to Launch Polestar 4 Pure EV in South Korea

Polestar, a Swedish automotive manufacturer owned by Volvo Cars, is set to bring its all-electric Sports Utility Vehicle to South Korea. The company specializing in EV production will release its Polestar 4 electric...

Canada Set to Enforce OECD Crypto Tax Standards by 2026

Canada has announced plans to adopt the OECDs Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) by 2026, aligning with global efforts to standardize cryptocurrency taxation. The move aims to enhance transparency and regulatory...

Elon Musk Reveals Cybertruck Accelerator Fix; New Software Bug Exposed in Car Wash Mishap

Elon Musk has addressed the Tesla Cybertrucks accelerator problem in a recent flurry of issues. At the same time, another owner reports a significant software glitch following a routine car wash, causing a five-hour system...

Samsung's Exynos 2500 Rumored to Eclipse Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in Power Efficiency With 3nm SoC

Samsung is reportedly preparing to equip the Galaxy S25 series with the Exynos 2500, a chipset that utilizes 3nm technology and may perform better than Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. For the next Galaxy S25 series,...

Shibarium Soars 160% as Key Metric Rebounds, Signaling Recovery

Shibarium, Shiba Inus blockchain solution, has surged by an impressive 160% in just 24 hours, marking a notable recovery in vital metrics. This surge follows a recent decline in transaction volume, indicating a swift...