Mosquito-borne viruses, including those that cause Zika, dengue and chikungunya, and the protozoan parasite Plasmodium that causes malaria, are at the forefront of global public health concerns.  Exposure to mosquito-transmitted viruses or Plasmodium infection during pregnancy results in severe health issues for the mother, fetus and infants. Zika or dengue virus contracted by a pregnant woman through mosquito bites or sexual transmission can be passed on to her fetus. Infection with Zika virus is associated with an increased incidence in congenital defects, most prominently microcephaly. Pregnant women infected with plasmodia had an increased risk of delivering children of low birth weight, and those infants later had an increased prevalence of anemia.

A better understanding of the reproductive biology and physiology of the vector mosquitoes, as well as of the effects of infection of pregnant women via these vectors, the routes of pathogen transmission to the fetus, and spread of the viruses and parasites within the developing embryo are all crucial for identifying novel approaches to limiting the spread and severity of these diseases.  We anticipate to bring together faculty and trainees with the expertise on mosquitoes, insect reproductive biology, mosquito-borne viruses and malaria, and reproductive biology and global health to identify key questions in the impacts of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases on reproductive health and develop collaborative project to address these key questions