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Ryan Smith

@vectorimmunity.bsky.social
610 followers 271 following 54 posts

Assoc. Prof at Iowa State. Vector biology and innate immunity. Lover of mosquitoes and tacos. Caffeine and history buff. Unlikely midwesterner. Thoughts are my own.

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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Our latest work tracks the continued spread of Aedes albopictus 🦟in Iowa, now detected in at least 10 counties. Representing its northern range in the Midwest, this has broader implications for its continued spread in the US. academic.oup.com/jme/article/...
academic.oup.com
Continued range expansion of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iowa, United States
Abstract. The mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) serves as a competent vector of several arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya, an
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Join us! We're hiring a Research Scientist to support projects on mosquito immunity and mosquito‑borne disease transmission. Ideal for a post‑bac or recent M.S. looking to gain experience in cutting-edge research in vector biology. isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
Mosquito Research Scientist
Position Title: Mosquito Research Scientist Job Group: Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree Preferred Qualifications: Proficiency in molecular biology techn...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
👀There will be a Keystone Symposium with a focus on Vector-Pathogen Interactions to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in February 2027. It should be a great meeting and hope to see you there! www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/...
keystonesymposia.org
Vector-Pathogen Interactions: From Vector Biology to Innovative Control Strategies | Keystone Symposia
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on Vector-Pathogen Interactions: From Vector Biology to Innovative Control Strategies, February 2027, in Geneva, with field leaders!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Make sure you keep this in mind and start early if you are going to be submitting to the February NIH deadlines!
media.tenor.com
a man speaking into a microphone with the words you better start early
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
As a heads up, it is now required that your NIH biosketch be created using Sciencv. This can be tricky since ORCID must be linked to your MyNCBI account, and for many, including myself, multiple accounts may have to be merged by NIH support staff. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov
NOT-OD-26-018: NIHs Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: NIHs Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
I'd like to thank the colossal efforts of @georgesaman.bsky.social and Hyeogsun Kwon, as well as the help from the UMITF in providing transgenic An. gambiae.
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Our latest work involving the development of genetic markers for mosquito hemocytes and their characterization using spectral imaging flow cytometry. The result is an advanced characterization of mosquito immune cells and the foundation for building genetic tools. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Characterization of Anopheles gambiae immune cells through genetic and functional immunophenotyping - Nature Communications
Classification of mosquito hemocytes into subtypes has thus far relied on morphological properties. Here, the authors develop new genetic resources that facilitate the visualization and analysis of he...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
I'd also like to acknowledge the huge contributions from Enzo Mameli and @georgesaman.bsky.social in this monumental and collaborative study
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Pleased to share our recent work in collaboration with the @perrimonlab.bsky.social in which we perform the first genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen in Anopheles to examine essential fitness genes and genes associated with clodronate liposome function www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
A genome-wide CRISPR screen in Anopheles mosquito cells identifies fitness and immune cell function-related genes
Nature Communications - Mosquitoes are major vectors for the transmission of many serious pathogens. This study uses genome-wide CRISPR screens in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, to reveal new...
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Waggoner Lab @labwaggoner.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
A genome-wide CRISPR knockout in a major malaria vector identifies genes important for fitness & immune-related processes @natcomms.nature.com @perrimonlab.bsky.social @iowastateu.bsky.social @harvardmed.bsky.social @georgesaman.bsky.social @vectorimmunity.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Excited to contribute to this beautiful study led by @yukihaba.bsky.social and @lindymcbr.bsky.social!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
I'm happy that I could contribute even a small part to this fantastic and monumental study! Huge shoutout to @oliviagoldman.net @nadavshai.bsky.social and @leslievosshall.bsky.social for their incredible leadership in organizing this massive project!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Since my study section meeting was postponed, I am able to submit my own grant a few days earlier than expected. I just wish that my outlook for the entire system was better than at present.
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Trends in Parasitology @cp-trendsparasitol.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
David Hall & @vectorimmunity.bsky.social highlight @merklinglab.bsky.social & colleagues’ Cell Genomics article on #mosquito cellular responses in #midgut & #fatbody after #bloodfeeding. #Aedes #aegypti #scRNAseq #Metabolomics @iastateresearch.bsky.social‬ ‬ authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbEr5Eb1x...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Congrats Becky!
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
Celebrating the holiday weekend with another bang! Our work describing roles of TNF signaling on mosquito immune cell function and in limiting malaria parasite infection is now published. Big shout out to @georgesaman.bsky.social and others for their contributions! journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
journals.plos.org
TNF signaling mediates cellular immune function and promotes malaria parasite killing in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae
Author summary Mosquito innate immunity is a major determinant of vector competence with significant implications in malaria transmission. During infection with the Plasmodium parasite, mosquitoes mou...
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brackneylab @brackneylab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Despite all the shit going on, we have to celebrate our victories. New publication with @entomososwin.bsky.social and @vectorimmunity.bsky.social showing that hemocytes play a central role in disseminating flaviviruses to secondary tissues potentially functioning as a Trojan Horse(TBD) rdcu.be/euj4g
rdcu.be
Mosquito immune cells enhance dengue and Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti
Nature Communications - Infection of mosquito immune cells by dengue and Zika virus enhances the spread of virus infection to mosquito tissues, such as the salivary glands, to promote virus...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Excited to share our latest collaborative work with @entomososwin.bsky.social @brackneylab.bsky.social looking at the role of mosquito immune cells in virus infection. It turns out that these cells help disseminate virus infection, increasing the potential for virus transmission rdcu.be/euiZt
rdcu.be
Mosquito immune cells enhance dengue and Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti
Nature Communications - Infection of mosquito immune cells by dengue and Zika virus enhances the spread of virus infection to mosquito tissues, such as the salivary glands, to promote virus...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
I wouldn’t say unhinged, but it was fun. I would say it was more of a show than a concert. We still had a great time
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
Heading out for a night of weirdness with the family
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
It's nice to start off your day with "We are delighted to accept your manuscript..."
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The phone calls are soooo much better...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
It's the time of the year when a student can be genuinely excited about getting a D-. D's get degrees. Only the best and brightest are ready to hit the workforce!
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Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
This is a great explainer of just how much trouble NIH-funded scientists are about to be in. 😨
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Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
harvard.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Does anyone have recommendations for a preferably free or low-cost software platform for cloning, plasmid design, and curation for the lab. I "grew up" scientifically with VectorNTI. Is SnapGene the best current option? Any other alternatives that you might recommend?
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
When it rains it pours
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
New
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Got the NoA on a R01 through NIAID last Monday. Full award with normal IDCs.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 17/02/2025
The cost-saving claims don’t hold up. Every dollar in NIH research grants generates $2.46 in economic activity, research shows—a total of $93 billion in 2023 alone. “It’s incredible to me that we would give up this thing that has such obvious societal benefits,” says biologist Mark Peifer.
motherjones.com
America will pay dearly for the NIH’s mindless war on wokeness and DEI
Colleges, businesses, patients, students, workers, and US excellence will all suffer—and for what?
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
The biggest hit to extramural program staff appears to be grants management specialists (GMSs). It appears that 15-20% of GMSs were terminated. This is quite concerning since these folks have already missed essentially a month of getting-grants-out time and have lots to do. They already work hard.
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
🚨 We are recruiting for two post-doc positions!🚨 1) Development of genetic tools to study mosquito immune cells isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob... 2) Role of mosquito immune cells in immune recognition and priming isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Thanks Greg! Much appreciated!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
For the sake of transparency, this particular grant took four submissions and about 3 years to get it across the finish line: -Submission #1: 50th % -Submission #2: 26th % -Submission #3: 29th % -Submission #4: 12th %
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Excited to share that I officially received my first R01 today! It's been a long road, one marked by persistence and several grants that narrowly missed the payline. Now to do all of the exciting work that we proposed! I will be hiring, so be on the lookout for job postings!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Thanks Kristin! I'm happy to see that it's working on our end as well. Yay!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
That's great! Glad that our work can be of help!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Looks great! Excited to give it a read!
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Nice to see the influx of people moving onto this platform. Fingers crossed that we can develop something comparable to SciTwitter before Elon
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
After you put in a query, the screen goes blank with no clickable options
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
Awesome! But it doesn't seem to be working properly. Hopefully a work in progress that will be fixed.
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 25/09/2024
Thanks. I’d like to do this with virus infection as well
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 24/09/2024
New preprint from our collaboration with @perrimonlab.bsky.social in which we perform a genome-wide CRISPR screen in Anopheles to identify essential mosquito genes and examine clodronate liposome function. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
A genome-wide CRISPR screen in Anopheles mosquito cells identifies essential genes and required components of clodronate liposome function
bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 29/08/2024
🚨Mosquito/fly tweeps🚨 Does anyone know of an alternative to E-RNAi? I/we have used that platform to design dsRNAs for more than 15 years and it appears as though the URL is no longer available. Any help would be much appreciated! TIA!
media.tenor.com
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 28/08/2024
As long as I've been around, the US response to VBDs has always been reactive... WNV, Zika, and several tick-borne pathogens. They would rather spend massive amounts of money in response, than gaining preemptory information. No one wants to fund things that they can't see.
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 29/05/2024
I feel this so much more for papers than grants
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brackneylab @brackneylab.bsky.social · 15/04/2024
Excited to be apart of this exciting work examining the role of hemocytes during arbovirus infection. Check it out now on bioRxiv. @vectorimmunity.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
Excited to share our latest work! Together with @brackneylab.bsky.social and @entomososwin.bsky.social we demonstrate that mosquito immune cells act as "trojan horses" to help spread DENV and ZIKV infection from the midgut to other mosquito tissues! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Ryan Smith @vectorimmunity.bsky.social · 05/03/2024
Slowly emerging back into society after submitting two R01s
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