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Flaminia Catteruccia explores the molecular interaction between human pathogens and their insect vectors. Catteruccia and her team focus on malaria and the transmission by the Anopheles mosquito of Plasmodium falciparum – the deadliest parasite in the history of humankind. They use cross-disciplinary approaches based on genome-wide multi-omics analyses, cell imaging, and genetic and biochemical assays to examine the basic biological processes affecting parasite development in the mosquito vector. They are also investigating key male-female molecular interactions that shape mosquito reproductive biology and how these interactions preserve female Anopheles fitness in the face of P. falciparum infection. These fundamental discoveries will inform innovative ideas for disease control, including new ways of blocking transmission.