The Arbovirus Laboratory, directed by Dr. Ciota, utilizes a One Health approach to study endemic and exotic mosquito and tick-borne viruses. 

Research topics include virus discovery and diagnostics, arbovirus evolution, vector-virus interactions, genetic correlates of viral fitness, and modeling the role of climate in transmission. By combining investigation of natural hosts and vectors with comprehensive laboratory studies, the lab aims to increase our understanding of the factors that shape patterns of arbovirus transmission and ultimately to influence public health interventions in New York State and beyond. 

The unique facilities which comprise the Arbovirus Lab allow for extensive experimentation in a range of natural invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. 

Pathogens of interest include the orthoflaviviruses West Nile virus, Powassan virus, Zika virus, and dengue virus, as well as alphaviruses and orthobunyaviruses, among others. 

To learn more about our current projects, visit the Research Projects page.

Join our lab!

Feel free to contact alexander.ciota@health.ny.gov_[1] for more information about our laboratory.