University of South Alabama · Microbiology & ImmunologyMacaluso Vector Lab
Kevin R. Macaluso · Mobile, Alabama
Research Focus
Dr. Kevin R. Macaluso's lab at the University of South Alabama studies flea-borne diseases, focusing on how the bacteria Rickettsia felis is transmitted by fleas. The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms that facilitate this transmission to improve disease management and prevention strategies. This research not only contributes to public health knowledge but also explores the interactions between different bacterial agents within flea populations.
Rickettsia felisflea-borne diseasesvector competencedisease transmissiongenetic engineeringcoinfection
Research Aims
5AIM 01Elucidate the biological mechanisms behind flea transmission of Rickettsia felis.
AIM 02Investigate the influence of multiple rickettsial agents within flea populations.
AIM 03Characterize flea-derived factors that affect bacterial transmission.
AIM 04Develop new methods for genetic analysis of fleas.
AIM 05Enhance understanding of coinfection effects on disease epidemiology.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRvector biology experimentsgene editing techniquesbioassaysflea population studiesmolecular biology techniquesdata analysis using statistical softwareepidemiological modelinganimal handling techniques
Output against the department
Publications101bottom 36% of dept.309th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.5kbottom 25% of dept.363rd of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.