Dr. Andrea Joyce
Assistant Professor
Education:
PhD Entomology, Texas A&M University
M.S. Entomology, University of California, Riverside
B.A. Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
Research Interests:
- Integrated Pest Management
- Entomology
- Vector Ecology
- Biological Control
- Populations Genetics, Speciation
Dr. Joyce is an Entomologist and her research interests include vector ecology, insect behavior, insect population genetics, biological control and integrated pest management for insects of agricultural and public health importance. Research in the lab and field are conducted to support healthy agricultural communities.
Current research includes Vector Ecology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Her vector ecology research focuses on mosquitoes, and includes identification of vector species and strains, understanding the habitat they thrive in (ecology), and investigating factors associated with vector-borne disease. Two mosquito species, Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti, known for their associations with West Nile virus and dengue (respectively) are the center of this research. Mosquitoes have been called “the world’s most dangerous animal,” responsible for more human deaths worldwide annually than any other animal.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses biological, cultural, and chemical control methods to manage pests in an environmentally compatible manner. She investigates insect population genetics of vectors, agricultural insect pests, and parasitoid insects used for biological control, as well as insect behavior. This research is indispensable to IPM to effectively use alternatives to insecticides such as parasitoids, pathogens, and pheromones, that can minimize risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment.
Her research has been published in journals including PLOS One, Parasites and Vectors, Ecology and Evolution, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Biological Control, and the Journal of Economic Entomology, among others. Projects have been supported by grants including the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a Fulbright Fellowship, the USDA-Almond Board, USAID, Conacyt, UC-Mexus, and the Mosquito Research Foundation.