Laboratory of Insect Biology at the University of Cincinnati
Recruiting new graduate students for Fall 2026 starting in September. Please contact Joshua Benoit if interested.
We study mechanisms underlying insect stress tolerance, reproductive physiology, regulation of metabolism and rhythm biology are the encompassing themes of my research, with the goal of integrating these topics under whole system studies that use molecular-, organismal- and population-based approaches.
Learn more about our research!!!
Lab members
The emphasis of my lab is on producing broadly-trained biologists that have direct knowledge and experience in a variety of techniques, allowing proficiency in bioinformatics, laboratory techniques and field research. Although individuals within my lab are not limited to any particular insect system, there is a slant toward medically-important insects/arthropods such as mosquitoes, tsetse flies and ticks. Specific techniques utilized: basic/advanced genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques (i.e. gene recovery, cloning, protein expression, western blotting, quantitative PCR and gene regulation), next-generation techniques (i.e. metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) and bioinformatics analysis of next generation data.
Recent Publications
Holmes et al.
2025
Multiple blood feeding bouts in mosquitoes allow for prolonged survival and are predicted to increase viral transmission during dry periods
Kelley et al.
2025
Tyrosine transfer RNA levels and modifications during blood-feeding and vitellogenesis in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Benoit et al.
2025
Shifted levels of sleep and activity during the night as mechanisms underlying ectoparasite resistance
Kelley et al.
2025
tRNA expression and modifications as critical components in the biology of blood feeding arthropods
Chakraborty et al.
2025
Thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs is associated with urban adaptation and human interactions
Sterkel et al.
2025
Deployment and transcriptional evaluation of nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug, to control bed bugs
Recent news and preprints!
Congrats to Souvik Chakraborty!!
Summer 2025
Souvik defended his PhD studies
Drought and thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti eggs are tied to interaction with humans”
Congrats to Shyh-Chi Chen!!
Summer 2025
Shyh-Chi will be starting his own lab at Georgia College and State University
Congrats on Spring Awards!!
Spring 2025
Kosisochukwu Onyeagba – UC Sigma Xi GIAR
Joshua Tompkin – Outstanding TA
Lauren Kuhlman – Thomas Kane Award
Syeda Farjana Hoque – Dr. Stacey Pfaller Scholarship
New preprint
Benoit et al. 2025
Dehydrating microhabitats increase mite activity and intensify ectoparasitism of Drosophila
New preprint
Kelley et al. 2025
A microbiome-derived nutrient underlies tyrosine metabolism and predator avoidance in mosquito larvae
New preprint
Chakraborty et al. 2025
Parental exposure to wet and dry conditions shapes the viability and thermotolerance of eggs in Aedes aegypti
New preprint
Frigard et al. 2025
Daily activity rhythms, sleep, and pregnancy are fundamentally related in the Pacific beetle mimic cockroach, Diploptera punctata
New preprint
Eilerts et al. 2025
Hemoglobin in the diet modulates post-blood feeding behavioral rhythms and gene expression in Aedes aegypti
New preprint
Oyen et al. 2025
Sub-lethal pesticide exposure facilitates the potential northward range shifts of ticks by increasing cold tolerance and overwintering survival
Laboratory of Insect Biology at the University of Cincinnati 