WELCOME

The Laroche Lab is a medical entomology and clinical bacteriology laboratory based at the University of Texas Medical Branch, focused on the ecology, virulence and management of neglected vector-borne bacterial pathogens. We mostly study the impact of these pathogens in populations with limited access to healthcare.
We conduct this work in Latin America, West Africa and East Africa.

Who are we?

We are a diverse lab composed of research associates and trainees from various countries. We have all received training in medical entomology or infectious diseases. Find out more about us on the Team page.

What do we do?

We conduct research on burden of vector-borne bacterial diseases, especially in vulnerable populations. We are particularly interested in Rickettsia and Bartonella species.
We also have significant expertise in the development of MALDI-TOF MS databases for the surveillance of vector-borne diseases. We develop open-access databases for the identification of vectors and dual detection of their associated zoonotic pathogens. Find out more on our Research page.

Where are we located?

We are based in Galveston, Texas, at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Our labs are located in the Galveston National Laboratory and in the Truman Graves Medical Research Building.

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Good to know:

We develop MALDI-TOF MS databases for the identification of vectors and the detection of the pathogens they carry. If you are involved in vector surveillance and interested in a MALDI database that would facilitate your efforts, please reach out! We'd be happy to develop databases for you to be used on any Bruker mass spectrometer you have access to.

Contact

Dr. Maureen Laroche
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston National Lab 5.200U
301 University Blvd
Galveston TX 77555

For shipping:
University of Texas Medical Branch
T.G. Blocker MRB Building Rm 4.116 L19925
301 University Blvd
Galveston TX 77555