People - Dr. Patricia Pietrantonio Lab

Dr. Patricia Pietrantonio
Professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Research Fellow
PhD Entomology, University of California, Riverside (1995)
MS Entomology, University of California, Riverside (1990)
BS Ingeniera Agronomo, University of Buenos Aires, School of Agronomy (1982)

p-pietrantonio@tamu.edu
Phone: (979) 321-5792
Internationally: 1(979) 321-5792 Laboratory 979-321-5793
Department of Entomology – Pietrantonio’s Faculty Profile

Current Lab Members

a group of individuals gathered for a lab member photo.

From Left to right: Taina Neves-Ferreira, Post-doctoral Associate Bianca M. Henriques-Santos, Assistant Research Scientist Han-Jung Lee, Ph.D. student, graduated Dec. 2023 Patricia V. Pietrantonio, lab principal investigator, Professor and Texas AgriLife Research Fellow Jonathan R. Hernandez, Ph.D. candidate Meenakshi, Ph.D. student

Current Graduate Students/ Post-docs

Jonathan Hernandez
Ph.D. Candidate (2019- Current)

My research focuses on insecticide resistance in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for several emerging arboviruses. In collaboration with Harris County Public Health, my investigations examine knockdown resistant (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) of females of Ae. aegypti collected from the field and exposed to pyrethroids during field cage tests. The findings revealed that most females from Harris County, TX, carry resistant alleles at the 410, 1016, and 1534 sites of the VGSC and that kdr mutations can affect control efficacy in the field. This research has significant implications for public health, offering insights to optimize disease control strategies that can impact millions.

The thrill of discovery and innovation motivates me, where new findings spark further questions that may require creativity to answer. Furthermore, I have always been mechanistically inclined, which led to my fascination with the intricate workings and biological responses that occur within living organisms, eventually fostering my interests in Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology. As the first person in my family to graduate from college and pursue graduate education, I am motivated to make a positive impact, not just within my family but the broader scientific community, as well.

As a member of the Entomological Society of America’s Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology (ESA PBT) section, I appreciate the opportunities for collaboration, funding, and networking. ESA PBT is an extraordinary platform to share ideas and foster connections among scientists at all career stages while promoting research excellence.

I believe in making a positive impact by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within ESA PBT. As a first-generation, Hispanic student, I have experienced and understand the challenges that underrepresented groups face in academia and beyond. By advocating for these resources such as scholarships, travel grants, and various career opportunities, while mentoring younger researchers, I hope to encourage a new generation of entomologists from diverse backgrounds to succeed. Through my work with ESA PBT, I intend to promote collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. I look forward to driving positive change and creating a lasting impact within the field of entomology and beyond.

Tainá Neves-Ferreira Post-doctoral Associate ( April 2023 – current)

She is currently a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Pietrantonio. A previous research project of hers examined molecules that affect insect physiology, specifically digestive carbohydrases, and their impact on a vector’s ability to transmit pathogens throughout its life cycle. Additionally, she investigated the use of nanoparticles for tracking pathogens in invertebrates.

Her current research investigates differentially expressed genes in the ovaries of fire ant queens to better understand the factors associated with reproduction. She also studies tick neuropeptides and their feeding behavior. Her project aims to identify molecules that influence neuropeptide receptors in ticks that regulate feeding and reproduction, which could lead to new pest control agents.

Bianca Henriques-Santos, D.Sc. Assistant Research Scientist (current)

Dr. Henriques-Santos’ early work focused mainly on insect digestive physiology, specially peptidase kinetics, activity and expression. Her current research involves G protein-coupled receptors, focusing on mosquito behavior and neuropeptide physiology. This work aims to discover novel ligands of these neuropeptide receptors, which regulate several aspects of mosquito and tick physiology, as potential pest control tools.

Past Laboratory Members

Han-Jung Lee
Ph.D. Student (2018-2023)

Caixing Jiong in front of an ivy-covered wall used as a background

Caixing Xiong
Ph.D. Student (2016-2020)
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Caixing is a current postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Pietrantonio with a focus on tick neuropeptide physiology and mosquito feeding behavior. Her research is on vector biology, specifically molecular physiology. The focus of her research is on discovering of novel chemistries on important neuropeptide receptors regulating feeding and reproduction in mosquitoes and ticks as potential pest control tools.

Xiong Receives MUVE Travel Award for 2019

Juan Pedro Wulff standing outside in front of trees.

Juan Pedro Wulff
Postdoctoral Research Associate

I have a bachelor degree in Biology and a PhD in Molecular Biology. My aim is the use of molecular biology to discover promising targets for arthropod pest control. My previous role was as postdoc associate at the Institute of Genetics Ewald E. Favret, INTA-CONICET, Argentina. The objective of that work was the study of the foraging behavior of a parasitoid wasp of tephritid flies. In that position, I used a transcriptomic approach to identify the chemoreceptors of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, and characterized selected candidates potentially associated to the host foraging behavior, through RNAi and behavioral assays. The ultimate goal was to understand the foraging process to increase field efficiency of this parasitoid wasp as a biological control agent of tephritid fruit flies. I am currently working as a postdoc associate in the Dr. Pietrantonio’s Lab, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University. Through my current position I have gained experience in tick research, specifically in GPCR silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) and tissue contraction assays, to determine the functional role of neuropeptides under study (and their receptors), in order to characterize candidate genes for tick control.

Past Undergraduate Researchers:

Andrew Renfro
Undergraduate Student worker (2019)

Carlos Ortega
Biology Major (Spring 2019)

Past Research Staff

James Colwell
Research Associate

Former Graduate Students

Degree Awarded	Name	Graduation year	Current occupation
Ph.D.	Han-Jung Lee	December 2023
Ph.D.	Caixing Xiong	December 2020	Post-doc, TAMU Entomology, Dr. Patricia Pietrantonio’s Lab
Ph.D.	Hyeogsun Kwon	May 2013	Post-doc Entomology, Iowa State University
Ph.D.	Hsiao-Ling Lu	December 2011	Postdoc at the Department of Entomology, University of Maryland – Dr. Raymond St. Leger’s Lab
Ph.D.	Bradley W. Hopkins	2010	Field Scientist, Western US, Turf & Ornamentals and Urban Pest Management at Corteva Agriscience College Station, Texas
Ph.D.	Christopher Jagge	2009	Laboratory Manager, TAMU-HSC
Ph.D.	Meir-Er Chen	2003	Associate Professor in National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
Ph.D.	Steven Holmes	2003	Navy Entomologist, Norfolk Virginia
Ph.D.	Sam Frazier	1999
M.S.	Paula Castillo	December 2015	PhD student, Entomology, LSU
M.S.	Cymon N. Kersch	December 2011	Medical and PhD student at OHSU
M.S.	Maria Blandon	2006	TAMU- Academic advisor
M.Ag.	Terry Junek	2006	Dept. of Chemistry, TAMU, Lab. instructor

Former Recent Postdocs:

Dr. Travis Calkins (Postdoc 2017-2019) – Currently: Charles River, Ohio
Dr. Arinder Arora – Currently: Post-Doc Department of Entomology, Cornell University
Yunlong Yang – Currently: Senior Researcher, Invaio Sciences, Boston, MA
Hyeog-Sun Kwon – Currently: Postdoc, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University
Christina Brock – Currently: Editor, Research Square, N.C.
Prati Bajracharya – Currently: Rudder High School, Bryan, TX