My laboratory's long-term research goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of vector-borne intracellular bacteria, with a focus on pathogenic Rickettsia and Orientia species. We employ a diverse set of multidisciplinary techniques, including genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, and advanced microscopy, to identify and analyze bacterial factors that drive virulence, modulate host gene expression, and ensure persistence in arthropod vectors. Additionally, we integrate immunology with advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing, single-cell omics, and bioinformatics to unravel the complexities of pathogen-host-vector interactions. Our current research focuses on the following key areas:

• Investigating post-transcriptional regulation's impact on bacterial gene expression during host and vector interactions.
• Creating and analyzing Rickettsia and Orientia gene deletion mutants to study pathogenesis.
• Identifying and characterizing the role of bacterial effector proteins secreted into the host environment.
• Analyzing the functions of bacterial hypothetical proteins in host invasion and disease.