Connecticut State The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Goudarz Molaei

MolaeiG

Department of Environmental Sciences
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
123 Huntington Street
P.O. Box 1106
New Haven, CT 06504
Voice: (203) 974-8487 Fax: (203) 974-8502
E-mail: Goudarz.Molaei@ct.gov

 

Expertise:
Dr. Molaei has expertise in the areas of molecular biology, physiology, genetics, vector biology, epidemiology of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.

Education:
Ph.D., Molecular biology and physiology, University of Toronto, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, 2004

M.Sc., Vector-borne diseases and medical entomology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region> 1991

B.Sc., Entomology, University of Tehran, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region>, 1985

Station Career:
Agricultural Scientist, 2017-Current
Associate Agricultural Scientist, 2014-2017

Assistant Agricultural Scientist II, 2006-2014

Postdoctoral Agricultural Scientist, 2004-2006

Past Research:Insect Sterile Techniques (S.I.T.) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); epidemiology of malaria and behavioral ecology of malaria vectors in collaboration with the World Health Organization / Tropical Diseases Research (WHO / TDR); molecular biology of refractoriness response in Anopheles gambiae, the major vector of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa to plasmodium parasites; Drosophila genetics and molecular biology; insect neurotransmission and physiology, biogenic amines and their respective receptors in insects’ visceral muscle.

Current Research:

During the last few decades, vector-borne diseases have resurged dramatically. Several millions of new cases occur each year with devastating impacts on human and animal lives and economies. According to the World Health Organization, about 10% of the total global burden of diseases is due to those transmitted by arthropod vectors. Dr. Molaei’s research activities and interests are in the areas of vector-borne diseases with emphasis on the vector-host interactions as an essential element in transmission. He makes use of molecular biology techniques to better understand epidemiology and ecology of West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis viruses with the goal of reducing the risk of infections in humans and domesticated animals. Dr. Molaei’s research in collaboration with scientists at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and other institutions has revealed that while some mosquito vectors exhibit opportunistic blood feeding behavior, others show a great deal of specialization for feeding on only one group of vertebrate hosts. For some species, information is limited to a few locations that may be the reflection of host abundance rather than the innate preference. Clearly, the complexity of the vector-host interactions and its epidemiological relevance require further investigations.

Selected publications available from author,Goudarz.Molaei@ct.gov others are available in PDF format

  • Pokutnaya D, Molaei G*, Weinberger DM, Vossbrinck CR, Diaz AJ. 2020. Prevalence of infection and co-infection and presence of rickettsial endosymbionts in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Connecticut, USA.

    Journal of Parasitology 2020; 106: 30-37. DOI: 10.1645/19-116.

  • Little EAH, Williams SC, Stafford KC 3rd, Linske MA, Molaei G*. 2019. Evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated tick management approach on multiple pathogen infection in Ixodes scapularis questing nymphs and larvae parasitizing white-footed mice. Experimental and Applied Acarology. doi: 10.1007/s10493-019-00452-7.

  • Stafford KC 3rd, Williams SC, van Oosterwijk JG, Linske MA, Zatechka S, Richer LM, Molaei G, Przybyszewski C, Wikel SK. 2019. Field evaluation of a novel oral reservoir‐targeted vaccine against Borrelia burgdorferi utilizing an inactivated whole‐cell bacterial antigen expression vehicle. Experimental and Applied Acarology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-019-00458-1

  • Molaei G*, Little EAH, Williams SC, Stafford KC. 2019. Bracing for the Worst - Range Expansion of the Lone Star Tick in the Northeastern United States. New England Journal of Medicine 381:2189-2192. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp1911661.
  • Little EAH, Molaei G*. 2019. Passive Tick Surveillance: Exploring Spatiotemporal Associations of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) Infection in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). 

    Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2509

  • Molaei G*, Little EAH, Stafford III KC, Gaffe H. 2019. A Seven-Legged Tick: Report of a Morphological Anomaly in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Biting A Human Host from the Northeastern United States. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101304
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877959X19302651?via%3Dihub
  • Molaei G, Karpathy SE, Andreadis TG. 2019. First Report of The Introduction of An Exotic Tick, Amblyomma coelebs (Acari: Ixodidae), Feeding on A Human Traveler Returning to The United States from Central America. Journal of Parasitology 2019 105(4) 571–575. doi: 10.1645/19-74.
  • Little EAH, Anderson JF, Stafford III KC, Eisen L, Eisen RJ, Molaei G. 2019. Predicting Spatiotemporal Patterns of Lyme disease Incidence from Passively Collected Surveillance Data for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato-infected Ixodes scapularis ticks. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.010.
  • VanAcker MC, Little EAH, Molaei G, Bajwa WI, Diuk-Wasser MA. 2019. Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA. 2019. Emerging Infectious Diseases, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/25/6/18-1741_article.
  • Soghigian J, Andreadis TG, Molaei G. 2018. Population Genomics of Culiseta melanura, the Principal Vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the United States. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006698
  • Stafford III KC, Molaei G, Little EAH, Paddock CD, Karpathy SE, Laborite AM. 2018. Distribution and Establishment of the Lone Star Tick in Connecticut and Implications for Range Expansion and Public Health. Journal of Medical Entomology; tjy115, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy115
  • Williams SC, Little EAH, Stafford III KC, Molaei G, Linske MA. 2018. Integrated Control of JuvenileIxodes scapularis ParasitizingPeromyscus leucopusin Residential Settings in Connecticut, United States. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Volume 9, Issue 5, July 2018, Pages 1310-1316.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X18300062 (PDF)
  • Anderson JF, Armstrong PM, Misencik MJ, Bransfield AB. ,Andreadis TG, and G Molaei. 2018. Seasonal Distribution, Blood-Feeding Habits, and Viruses of Mosquitoes in An Open-Faced Quarry in Connecticut, 2010 and 2011. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 34:1–10. http://mosquito-jamca.org/doi/pdf/10.2987/17-6707.1 (PDF)
  • Molaei G, AH Little. 2018. A nine-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the northeastern United States. Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases (2018), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.003.
  • Molaei G, TG Andreadis, JF Anderson, KC Stafford III. An Exotic Hitchhiker: A Case Report of Importation into Connecticut from Africa of the Human Parasitizing Tick, Hyalomma truncatum (Acari: Ixodidae). Journal of Parasitology (2018), http://www.journalofparasitology.org/doi/10.1645/18-13.
  • Williams SC, KC Stafford III, G Molaei, MA Linske. Integrated control of Ixodes scapularis: Effectiveness of white-tailed deer reduction, the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, and fipronil-based rodent bait boxes. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (2017), DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2146 (PDF)
  • Stafford III KC.SC. Williams, G. Molaei. Integrated Pest Management in Controlling Ticks and Tick-Associated Diseases. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, (2017) 8(1): 28; 1–7 doi: 10.1093/jipm/pmx018 (PDF)
  • Soghigian J. G. Ridge. K. Stafford, Goudarz Molaei. The First Evidence of Nanism in Ixodes (Ixodes) scapularis

    (Acari: Ixodidae), Found Parasitizing a Human Host. Journal of Medical Entomology (2017) 2017, 1–5 doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx111. (PDF)

  • Shepard JJ, TG Andreadis, MC Thomas, G Molaei. 2016. Host Associations of Mosquitoes at Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Foci in Connecticut, USA. Parasites and Vectors (2016) 9:474 DOI 10.1186/s13071-016-1765-1 (PDF)
  • Molaei G, MC Thomas, Tim Muller, Jan Medlock, JJ Shepard, PM Armstrong, TG Andreadis. 2016. Vector-Host Interactions in Avian Communities in Four Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Foci in the Northeastern U.S. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, (2016), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004347 (PDF)
     
     
     
  • Molaei G, PM Armstrong, A Graham, LD Kramer, TG Andreadis. 2015. Insights into the Recent Emergence and Expansion of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in a New Focus in the Northern New England USA. Parasites & Vectors: (2015) 8:516 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1145-2 (PDF)
  • Molaei G, PM Armstrong, CFAbadam, KI Akaratovic, JP Kiser, TG Andreadis.2015. Vector-Host Interactions of Culiseta melanura in a Focus of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Southeastern Virginia. PLoS One: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136743 (PDF)
  • Huang S, DJ Smith, G. Molaei, TG Andreadis, SE Larsen, EF Lucches. 2013. Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) Infection in Aedes, Culex, and Culiseta Mosquitoes From North San Joaquin Valley, CA. Journal of Medical Entomology 50: 1315-1323. (PDF)
     
  • Molaei G, TG Andreadis, PM Armstrong, MC Thomas, T Deschamps, E Cuebas-Incle, W Montgomery, M Osborne, S Smole, P Matton, W Andrews, C Best, F Cornine III, E Bidlack and T Texeira. 2013. Vector-host interactions and epizootiology of eastern equine encephalitis virus in Massachusetts, USA. Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases. (PDF)
  • Goudarz Molaei, Shaoming Huang and Theodore G. Andreadis. 2012. Vector-host interactions of Culex pipiens complex in Northeastern and Southwestern USA. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association. (PDF)
  • Jennifer E. Simpson, Paul J. Hurtado, Jan Medlock, Goudarz Molaei, Theodore G. Andreadis, Alison P. Galvani, and Maria A. Diuk-Wasser. 2011. Vector host-feeding preferences drive transmission of multi-host pathogens: West Nile virus as a model system. Proceedings of The Royal Society B, Biological Sciences. (PDF)
  • Huang S, Molaei G, Andreadis TG. 2011. Reexamination of Culex pipiens hybridization zone in the eastern United States by ribosomal DNA-based single nucleotide polymorphism markers. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. (in press) 

  • Molaei G, Cummings RF, Su T, Armstrong PM, Williams GA, Cheng ML, Webb JP, Andreadis TG. 2010. Vector-host interactions governing epidemiology of West Nile virus in southern California. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 83: 1269-1282. (PDF)

  • Diuk-Wasser MA, Molaei G, Simpson JE, Folsom CM, Armstrong PM, Andreadis TG. 2010. Avian communal roosts as amplification foci for West Nile virus in urban areas in northeastern United States. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 82: 337-343. (PDF)
  • Molaei G. 2009. Measures urgently required to prevent multiple submissions.  Nature 461: 723. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Farajollahi A, Armstrong PM, Oliver J, Howard JJ, Andreadis TG. 2009. Identification of blood meals in Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Anopheles punctipennis from eastern equine encephalitis virus foci in northeastern USA. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 23: 350-356.
  • Molaei G, Farajollahi A, Scott JJ, Gaugler R, Andreadis TG. 2009. Human blood feeding by the recently introduced mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae), and public health implications.  Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 25: 210–214. (PDF)
  • Huang S, Hamer GL, Molaei G, Walker ED, Goldberg TL, Kitron UD, Andreadis TG. 2009. Genetic variation and blood-feeding pattern of Culex pipiens, the major vector of West Nile virus.  Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 9:637-642. (PDF)
  • Huang S, Molaei G, Andreadis TG. 2008. Genetic insights into the population structure of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in the northeastern united states by using microsatellite analysis.  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 79: 518-527. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Andreadis TG, Armstrong PM, Diuk-Wasser M. 2008. Host-feeding patterns of potential mosquito vectors in Connecticut, USA: molecular analysis of blood meals from twenty-three species of Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Coquillettidia, Psorophora, and Uranotaenia.  Journal of Medical Entomology 45:1143-1151. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Andreadis TG, Armstrong PM, Bueno R Jr, Dennett JA, Real SV, Sargent C, Bala A, Randle Y, Guzman H, Travassos da Rosa A, Wuithiranyagool T, Tesh RB. 2007. Host feeding pattern of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) and its role in transmission of West Nile virus in Harris County, Texas.  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 77: 73-81. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Andreadis TG. 2006. Identification of avian- and mammalian-derived blood meals in Aedes vexans and Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae) and its implication for West Nile virus transmission in Connecticut, USA.  Journal of Medical Entomology 43: 1088-1093. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Oliver J, Andreadis TG, Armstrong PM, Howard JJ. 2006. Molecular identification of blood-meal sources in Culiseta melanura and Culiseta morsitans from an endemic focus of eastern equine encephalitis virus in New York.  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 75: 1140-1147. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Andreadis TG, Armstrong PM, Anderson JF, Vossbrinck CR. 2006. Host feeding patterns of Culex mosquitoes and West Nile virus transmission, Northeastern United States.  Emerging Infectious Diseases 12: 468-474. (PDF)
  • Molaei G, Paluzzi JP, Bendena WG, Lange AB. 2005. Isolation, cloning, and tissue distribution of a putative octopamine/tyramine receptor gene from the African Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria.  Archives of Insect Biochemistry and physiology 59: 132-149. (PDF)
  • Molaei G. 2004. Genetic Markers for the Third Chromosome of Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae).  J. Animal Vet. Advances 3: 758-766. 
  • Molaei G, Lange AB. 2003. The association of serotonin with the alimentary canal of the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria: distribution, physiology, and pharmacological profile.  Journal of Insect Physiology 49: 1073-1082. (PDF)
  • Zaim M, Manouchehri AV, Motabar M, Emadi AM, Nazari M, Pakdad K, Kayedi MH, Molaei (Mowlaii) G. 1995. Anopheles culicifacies in Baluchistan.  Medical and Veterinary Entomology 9: 181-186. 
  • Zaim M, Manouchehri AV, Motabar M, Molaei (Mowlaii) G, Kayedi MH, Pakdad P, Nazari M. 1992. Ecology of Anopheles pulcherrimus in Baluchistan.  Journal of American Mosquito Control Association 8: 293-296. 
  • Molaei (Mowlaii) G, Zaim M, Manouchehri AV, Motabar M, Edrissian GH. Ladoni H. Nazari M. 1991. Biting behavior of Anopheline mosquitoes in Ghasreghand, Baluchistan.  Journal of Public Health 20: 1-4.