Federal Grant Award Summary

Texas Tech University received a $648,891 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded February 3, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2031. This research initiative investigates population dynamics and genetic structure of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the primary vector for dengue and yellow fever viruses—at invasion fronts across the American Southwest. The project employs landscape genetic approaches, network analyses, and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array genotyping to quantify population connectivity among urban centers and identify structural weaknesses in subpopulation networks that can inform mosquito control interventions. The research tests a core-satellite metapopulation framework hypothesis, examining how large urban centers maintain genetically diverse populations while gene flow and invasion of outlying satellite populations are influenced by distance to source populations, urbanization size, and human population density.

The project involves four sub-awardees executing complementary research and analytical services. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station supervises molecular genetics data collection and population genetics analyses using SNP chip and whole-genome sequencing data. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health contributes retrospective and prospective Aedes aegypti samples from six Clark County jurisdictions, performs whole-genome sequencing analysis, develops transferable bioinformatics pipelines, and translates findings into public health policy recommendations in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Health District. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley conducts field collections of adult mosquitoes across South Texas from Brownsville to San Antonio using light traps and baited sentinel traps. New Mexico State University participates in the research initiative focusing on population dynamics at the invasive front. Together, these institutions provide integrated field sampling, molecular analysis, bioinformatics development, and data synthesis across the geographic region of investigation.