Çï¿ûÊÓƵ

Research Areas

Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Ticks, Evolution of Vectors and Pathogens, and Population Genetics

Education

Universit̩ de Lausanne (Switzerland) РMedicine
Universit̩ de Lausanne (Switzerland) РDoctorate in Medicine
Universit̩ de Neuch̢tel (Switzerland) РDEA in Parasitology
Universit̩ Aix-Marseille II (France) РPhD Cellular Microbiology

Publications

1. L Beati and H Klompen (2019). Phylogeography of Ticks (Acari: Ixodida). Annual Reviews of Entomology 64(1). DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043027.
   
2. HS Ginsberg, GJ Hickling, R Burke, NH Ogden, L Beati, RA LeBrun2, IM Arsnoe, R Gerhold, S Han, K Jackson, L Maestas, T Moody, G Pang, B Ross, EL Rulison, JI Tsao (2021). Why Lyme disease is common in the northern US but rare in the south: the roles of host choice, host-seeking behavior, and tick density. PLoSBiol 19 (1): e3001066. 
   
3. KJ Ledger, L Beati, SM Wisely (2021). Survey of ticks and tick-borne rickettsial and protozoan pathogens in Eswatini Pathogens 10, 1043. .
   
4. S Karim, TJ Zenzal, L Beati, R Sen, A Adegoke, D Kumar, L Downs, M Keko, A Nussbaum, D Becker, FR Moore (2024). Ticks without borders: Microbiome of immature Neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2024, 14:1472598. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1472598.
   
5. B. Dorsey, T. de Meeûs, MEJ Allerdice, CD Paddock, WL Nicholson, BN Ayres, SM Wisely, BH Noden, L Beati* (2025). Microsatellite loci support recent speciation of Ambylomma maculatum s.l., Koch, 1944 (Acari: Ixodidae) morphotypes II and III. Acarologia, 65: 519-533.
   
6. L Beati, M Montagna, J Tsao, T de Meeûs (2025). Assortative mating in Ixodes scapularis Say, 1821 (Acari: Ixodidae). Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 16, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102550.

Funding

Current Grants

1. USDA-ARS – ​​Ticks and Tick-borne diseases in Uganda

Research Projects

Study the Diversity of Pathogens in Ugandan Ticks

The goal of our main project is to investigate relationships between ticks and pathogens in one area of Uganda through genomic analyses of ticks collected from livestock and the vegetation. By training local students and health personnel, we also wish to enhance preparedness to outbreaks caused by previously unknown disease-causing agents.

Study the Genetic Structure of the Most Common Pathogen-Associated Ticks in Uganda

The study of ticks, their systematics, evolution, ecology, and genetics are fundamental steps for a better understanding of the transmission cycles of the pathogens they carry. I am the curator of the U.S. National Tick Collection and, therefore, my projects focus on tick taxonomy and genetics. Nevertheless, I am also a physician and my interest also lies in understanding relationships between pathogens/tick/environment.

Train Ugandan Students in the Study of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

The goal of our main project is to investigate relationships between ticks and pathogens in one area of Uganda through genomic analyses of ticks collected from livestock and the vegetation. By training local students and health personnel, we also wish to enhance preparedness to outbreaks caused by previously unknown disease-causing agents.

News

3. PhD student Saviour Dralabu is now starting his second year in the ENVS program. His research focuses on detecting and identifying pathogens in ticks through NGS methods and developing tools for the study of the genetic structure of ticks.
4. Several former master students in my laboratory have pursued their careers in Academia, in the pharmaceutical private sector, or in State Public Health services.

Research Group

Undergraduate Students

2 Honors students (completed research at the end of 2024 and joined dental and medical schools)

Graduate Students

1 PhD student