Faculty
Bradley White
Assistant Professor of Entomology
Location: Entomology 339
Tel:(951) 827-2626
E-mail:bradley.white@ucr.edu
Research Specialization
Broadly, my lab performs research on the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity in Anopheles malaria mosquitoes. We are particularly interested in studying traits of medical and/or ecological importance. To do this we utilize a variety of techniques ranging from experimental genetics to computational genomics to field studies. Below is further background on the two main research topics currently under investigation.
1) Vectorial Capacity. Anopheles mosquitoes are the exclusive vectors of human malaria. However, not all anophelines are created equal with respect to this trait. We aim to identify the genetic polymorphisms that contribute to natural variation in "vector phenotypes" such as host preference and susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. Finding these polymorphisms and characterizing the evolutionary forces acting upon them may ultimately enable a reduction in the vectorial capacity of natural populations of mosquitoes.
2) Speciation. Anopheles mosquitoes have undergone recent, rapid diversification resulting in numerous complexes of morphologically indistinguishable species, which has positioned them as an excellent model to answer fundamental questions about how new species are formed and maintained. Currently, we are working towards characterizing the genetic architecture of species boundaries between diverging taxa with varying levels of gene flow.
Degrees
B.A. Biology and English 2004
Oberlin College
Ph.D. Biological Sciences 2010
University of Notre Dame
Awards
Arthur J Schmitt Fellowship
Publications
Selected Publications
White, B.J., FH Collins, and NJ Besansky (2011) Evolution of Anopheles gambiae in relation to humans and malaria. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Sys 42.
White, B.J., M.K.N. Lawnikzac, C. Cheng, M. Coulibaly, M.D. Wilson, N. Sagnon, C. Costantini, F. Simard, G. Christophides, and N.J. Besansky (2011). Adaptive divergence between incipient species of Anopheles gambiae increases resistance to Plasmodium. PNAS 108: 244-249.
Lawnikzac, M.K.N., S. Emrich, A.K. Halloway, A. Reiger, M. Olson, B.J. White, (23 others), and N.J. Besansky (2010). Widespread divergence between incipient Anopheles gambiae species revealed by whole genome sequencing. Science 330: 512-514.
White, B.J., C. Cheng, F. Simard, C. Costantini and N.J. Besansky (2010). Genetic association of physically unlinked islands of genomic divergence between incipient species of Anopheles gambiae. Molecular Ecology 19: 925-939.
White, B.J., C. Cheng, D. Sangare, N.F. Lobo, F. Collins, and N.J. Besansky (2009). Population genomics of trans-specific inversions in Anopheles gambiae. Genetics 183:275-288.
White, B.J., M.W. Hahn, M. Pombi, B.J. Cassone, N.F. Lobo, F. Simard, and N.J. Besansky (2007). Localization of candidate regions maintaining a common polymorphic inversion (2La) in Anopheles gambiae. PLoS Genetics 3: 2404-2414.