Dr. Rebecca Christofferson
Assistant Professor
Pathobiological Sciences (PBS)
(225) 578-9684

Teaching Interests:
Epidemiological methods and statistics, vector-borne virus transmission, One Health

Research Interests:
Eco-epidemiology of infectious diseases

 Awards & Honors:
  • 2021 Worley Professor of Excellence
  • 2018 Zoetis Research Award for Veterinary Research Excellence
  • 2018 TEDxLSU Selected Speaker
 Education:
  • PhD LSU
  • M.Ap.Stat. LSU
  • BS LSU
 Grants:
  • Targeting the viral and human host factors governing COVID19 disease to inform individual and population biomarkers of immunity and therapeutic development, Merck Investigator Sponsored Program, $308,262.59
  • Extra-cellular stability of Orthobunyaviruses and transovarial transmission in Ae. aegypti under relevant environmental conditions., USDA 1433, $6,200.00
  • NASA Satellite Data for Mapping and Modeling the Natural Nidality of Vector-Borne Diseases, NASA, $463,468.00
  • Center for Lung Biology and Disease – PIP Core, National Institutes of Health - NIH ,
  • Quantitative Methods to Understand Biological Processes of Arbovirus Transmission, Burroughs-Wellcome Fund, $8,000.00
  • GeoHealth: A surveillance and response system resource for vector borne disease in the Americas, NASA, $600,000.00
  • Support for arbovirus surveillance efforts in South America, NAMRU-6, $31,500.00
  • Characterization of temperature-driven heterogeneity in mosquito populations, the mosquito-arbovirus interaction and subsequent effects on transmission, NIGMS/NIH, $1,019,864.00
  • BHEARD Program - Rwanda, USAID, $211,776.00
  • GeoHealth: A surveillance and response system resource for vector borne disease in the Americas, LSU International Programs: LSU International Conference/symposium Grant, $6,000.00
  • DHH - Zika Response Planning, Louisiana Department of Health,
 Publications:
Journal Article, Academic Journal:
  • A Method for Repeated, Longitudinal Sampling of Individual <i>Aedes aegypti</i> for Transmission Potential of Arboviruses., Mayton, E; Hernandez, H; Vitek, C; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2021, Insects , Volume: 12, Number: 4
  • Comparative characterization of the reassortant Orthobunyavirus Ngari with putative parental viruses, Bunyamwera and Batai: <i>in vitro</i> characterization and <i>ex vivo</i> stability., Dutuze, M; Mayton, E; Macaluso, J; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2021, The Journal of general virology , Volume: 102, Number: 2
  • Current vector research challenges in the greater Mekong subregion for dengue, Malaria, and Other Vector-Borne Diseases: A report from a multisectoral workshop March 2019., Christofferson, Rebecca; Parker, D; Overgaard, H; Hii, J; Devine, G; Wilcox, B; Nam, V; Abubakar, S; Boyer, S; Boonnak, K; Whitehead, S; Huy, R; Rithea, L; Sochantha, T; Wellems, T; Valenzuela, J; Manning, J, 2020, PLoS neglected tropical diseases , Volume: 14, Number: 7, Pages: e0008302
  • Identification of Bunyamwera and Possible Other <i>Orthobunyavirus</i> Infections and Disease in Cattle during a Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in Rwanda in 2018., Dutuze, M; Ingabire, A; Gafarasi, I; Uwituze, S; Nzayirambaho, M; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2020, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene , Volume: 103, Number: 1, Pages: 183-189
  • Age-structured vectorial capacity reveals timing, not magnitude of within-mosquito dynamics is critical for arbovirus fitness assessment., Mayton, E; Tramonte, A; Wearing, H; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2020, Parasites & vectors , Volume: 13, Number: 1, Pages: 310
  • Short Report: Asymptomatic Zika virus infections with low viral loads not likely to establish transmission in New Orleans Aedes populations., Ward, M; Carter, B; Yukich, J; Wesson, D; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2020, PloS one , Volume: 15, Number: 5, Pages: e0233309
  • Theoretical risk of genetic reassortment should not impede development of live, attenuated Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines commentary on the draft WHO RVF Target Product Profile., Monath, T; Kortekaas, J; Watts, D; Christofferson, Rebecca; Desiree LaBeaud, A; Gowen, B; Peters, C; Smith, D; Swanepoel, R; Morrill, J; Ksiazek, T; Pittman, P; Bird, B; Bettinger, G, 2020, Vaccine: X , Volume: 5, Pages: 100060
  • Route of inoculation and mosquito vector exposure modulate dengue virus replication kinetics and immune responses in rhesus macaques., McCracken, M; Gromowski, G; Garver, L; Goupil, B; Walker, K; Friberg, H; Currier, J; Rutvisuttinunt, W; Hinton, K; Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher; Vanloubbeeck, Y; Lorin, C; Malice, M; Thomas, S; Jarman, R; Vaughn, D; Putnak, J; Warter, L, 2020, PLoS neglected tropical diseases , Volume: 14, Number: 4, Pages: e0008191
  • Correlation of the basic reproduction number (R0) and eco-environmental variables in Colombian municipalities with chikungunya outbreaks during 2014-2016., Peña-García, V; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2019, PLoS neglected tropical diseases , Volume: 13, Number: 11, Pages: e0007878
  • Temperature impacts on dengue emergence in the United States: Investigating the role of seasonality and climate change., Robert, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Weber, P; Wearing, H, 2019, Epidemics , Volume: 28, Pages: 100344
  • Investigating the probability of establishment of Zika virus and detection through mosquito surveillance under different temperature conditions., Tramonte, A; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2019, PloS one , Volume: 14, Number: 3, Pages: e0214306
  • A Review of Bunyamwera, Batai, and Ngari Viruses: Understudied <i>Orthobunyaviruses</i> With Potential One Health Implications., Dutuze, M; Nzayirambaho, M; Mores, Christopher; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2018, Frontiers in veterinary science , Volume: 5, Pages: 69
  • Examining the Potential for South American Arboviruses to Spread Beyond the New World, Pena-Garcia, Victor; McCracken, Michael; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2017, Current Clinical Microbiology Reports , Volume: 4, Number: 4, Pages: 208-217https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-017-0076-4
  • Examining the potential for South American arboviruses to spread beyond the New World., Peña-García, V; McCracken, M; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2017, Current clinical microbiology reports , Volume: 4, Number: 4, Pages: 208-217
  • Tissue tropisms, infection kinetics, histologic lesions, and antibody response of the MR766 strain of Zika virus in a murine model., Kawiecki, A; Mayton, E; Dutuze, M; Goupil, B; Langohr, Ingeborg; Del Piero, Fabio; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2017, Virology journal , Volume: 14, Number: 1, Pages: 82
  • Bridging the Gap Between Experimental Data and Model Parameterization for Chikungunya Virus Transmission Predictions., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher; Wearing, H, 2016, The Journal of infectious diseases , Volume: 214, Number: suppl 5, Pages: S466-S470
  • Bridging the Gap Between Experimental Data and Model Parameterization for Chikungunya Virus Transmission Predictions., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher; Wearing, H, 2016, The Journal of infectious diseases , Volume: 214, Number: suppl 5, Pages: S466-S470
  • Pokémon Go and Exposure to Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How Not to Catch 'Em All., Oidtman, R; Christofferson, Rebecca; Ten Bosch, Q; Espana, G; Kraemer, M; Tatem, A; Barker, C; Perkins, T, 2016, PLoS currents , Volume: 8
  • Pokémon Go and Exposure to Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How Not to Catch 'Em All., Oidtman, R; Christofferson, Rebecca; Ten Bosch, Q; Espana, G; Kraemer, M; Tatem, A; Barker, C; Perkins, T, 2016, PLoS currents , Volume: 8
  • Zika Virus-Induced Antibody Response Enhances Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Replication In Vitro., Kawiecki, A; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, The Journal of infectious diseases , Volume: 214, Number: 9, Pages: 1357-1360
  • Zika Virus-Induced Antibody Response Enhances Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Replication In Vitro., Kawiecki, A; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, The Journal of infectious diseases , Volume: 214, Number: 9, Pages: 1357-1360
  • Modeling Mosquito-Borne Disease Spread in U.S. Urbanized Areas: The Case of Dengue in Miami., Robert, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Silva, N; Vasquez, C; Mores, Christopher; Wearing, H, 2016, PloS one , Volume: 11, Number: 8, Pages: e0161365
  • Modeling Mosquito-Borne Disease Spread in U.S. Urbanized Areas: The Case of Dengue in Miami., Robert, Michael; Christofferson, Rebecca; Silva, Noah; Vasquez, Chalmers; Mores, Christopher; Wearing, Helen, 2016, PLoS ONE
  • Potential for Extrinsic Incubation Temperature to Alter Interplay Between Transmission Potential and Mortality of Dengue-Infected Aedes aegypti., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2016, Environmental health insights , Volume: 10, Pages: 119-23
  • Zika Virus Emergence and Expansion: Lessons Learned from Dengue and Chikungunya May Not Provide All the Answers., Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene , Volume: 95, Number: 1, Pages: 15-8
  • Zika Virus Emergence and Expansion: Lessons Learned from Dengue and Chikungunya May Not Provide All the Answers., Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene , Volume: 95, Number: 1, Pages: 15-8
  • Utility of a Dengue-Derived Monoclonal Antibody to Enhance Zika Infection In Vitro., Charles, A; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, PLoS currents , Volume: 8
  • Utility of a Dengue-Derived Monoclonal Antibody to Enhance Zika Infection In Vitro., Charles, A; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, PLoS currents , Volume: 8
  • Novel Lesions of Bones and Joints Associated with Chikungunya Virus Infection in Two Mouse Models of Disease: New Insights into Disease Pathogenesis., Goupil, B; McNulty, Margaret; Martin, M; McCracken, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2016, PloS one , Volume: 11, Number: 5, Pages: e0155243
  • Short Report: Serological Evidence of Under-Reported Dengue Circulation in Sierra Leone., de Araújo Lobo, J; Mores, Christopher; Bausch, D; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, PLoS neglected tropical diseases , Volume: 10, Number: 4, Pages: e0004613
  • Dengue and chikungunya: modelling the expansion of mosquito-borne viruses into naïve populations., Wearing, H; Robert, M; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, Parasitology , Pages: 1-14
  • Dengue and chikungunya: modelling the expansion of mosquito-borne viruses into naïve populations., Wearing, H; Robert, M; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, Parasitology , Pages: 1-14
  • Short Report: Serological Evidence of Under-Reported Dengue Circulation in Sierra Leone., de Araújo Lobo, J; Mores, Christopher; Bausch, D; Christofferson, Rebecca, 2016, PLoS neglected tropical diseases , Volume: 10, Number: 4, Pages: e0004613
  • Novel Lesions of Bones and Joints Associated with Chikungunya Virus Infection in Two Mouse Models of Disease: New Insights into Disease Pathogenesis., Goupil, B; McNulty, Margaret; Martin, M; McCracken, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2016, PloS one , Volume: 11, Number: 5, Pages: e0155243
  • Potential for Extrinsic Incubation Temperature to Alter Interplay Between Transmission Potential and Mortality of Dengue-Infected Aedes aegypti., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2016, Environmental health insights , Volume: 10, Pages: 119-23
  • A role for vector control in dengue vaccine programs., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2015, Vaccine , Volume: 33, Number: 50, Pages: 7069-74
  • Aedes aegypti anti-salivary gland antibody concentration and dengue virus exposure history in healthy individuals living in an endemic area in Colombia., Londoño-Rentería, B; Cárdenas, J; Giovanni, J; Cárdenas, L; Villamizar, P; Rolón, J; Chisenhall, D; Christofferson, Rebecca; Carvajal, D; Pérez, O; Wesson, D; Mores, Christopher, 2015, Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud , Volume: 35, Number: 4, Pages: 572-81
  • Cofeeding intra- and interspecific transmission of an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen., Brown, L; Christofferson, Rebecca; Banajee, K; Del Piero, Fabio; Foil, L; Macaluso, Kevin, 2015, Molecular ecology , Volume: 24, Number: 21, Pages: 5475-89
  • A role for vector control in dengue vaccine programs, Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2015, Vaccine
  • Aedes aegypti anti-salivary gland antibody concentration and dengue virus exposure history in healthy individuals living in an endemic area in Colombia., Londoño-Rentería, B; Cárdenas, J; Giovanni, J; Cárdenas, L; Villamizar, P; Rolón, J; Chisenhall, D; Christofferson, Rebecca; Carvajal, D; Pérez, O; Wesson, D; Mores, Christopher, 2015, Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud , Volume: 35, Number: 4, Pages: 572-81
  • Co-feeding intra- and interspecific transmission of an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen., Brown, L; Christofferson, Rebecca; Banajee, K; Del Piero, Fabio; Foil, L; Macaluso, Kevin, 2015, Molecular ecology
  • Aedes aegypti salivary protein "aegyptin" co-inoculation modulates dengue virus infection in the vertebrate host., McCracken, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Grasperge, Britton; Calvo, E; Chisenhall, D; Mores, Christopher, 2014, Virology , Volume: 468-470, Pages: 133-9
  • Characterizing the likelihood of dengue emergence and detection in naïve populations., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher; Wearing, H, 2014, Parasites & vectors , Volume: 7, Pages: 282
  • The role of the mosquito in a dengue human infection model., Mores, Christopher; Christofferson, Rebecca; Davidson, S, 2014, The Journal of infectious diseases , Volume: 209 Suppl 2, Pages: S71-8
  • Infection with dengue-2 virus alters proteins in naturally expectorated saliva of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes., Chisenhall, D; Christofferson, Rebecca; McCracken, M; Johnson, A; Londono-Renteria, B; Mores, Christopher, 2014, Parasites & vectors , Volume: 7, Pages: 252
  • Towards an early warning system for forecasting human west nile virus incidence., Manore, C; Davis, J; Christofferson, Rebecca; Wesson, D; Hyman, J; Mores, Christopher, 2014, PLoS currents , Volume: 6
  • Towards an early warning system for forecasting human west nile virus incidence., Manore, C; Davis, J; Christofferson, Rebecca; Wesson, D; Hyman, J; Mores, Christopher, 2014, PLoS currents , Volume: 6
  • Effect of dengue-2 virus infection on protein expression in the salivary glands of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes., Chisenhall, D; Londono, B; Christofferson, Rebecca; McCracken, M; Mores, Christopher, 2014, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene , Volume: 90, Number: 3, Pages: 431-7
  • Analysis of early dengue virus infection in mice as modulated by Aedes aegypti probing., McCracken, M; Christofferson, Rebecca; Chisenhall, D; Mores, Christopher, 2014, Journal of virology , Volume: 88, Number: 4, Pages: 1881-9
  • Chikungunya viral fitness measures within the vector and subsequent transmission potential., Christofferson, Rebecca; Chisenhall, D; Wearing, H; Mores, Christopher, 2014, PloS one , Volume: 9, Number: 10, Pages: e110538
  • Investigations of Koutango Virus Infectivity and Dissemination Dynamics in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes., de Araújo Lobo, J; Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2014, Environmental health insights , Volume: 8, Number: Suppl 2, Pages: 9-13
  • Development of a transmission model for dengue virus., Christofferson, Rebecca; McCracken, M; Johnson, A; Chisenhall, D; Mores, Christopher, 2013, Virology journal , Volume: 10, Pages: 127
  • Estimating the magnitude and direction of altered arbovirus transmission due to viral phenotype., Christofferson, Rebecca; Mores, Christopher, 2011, PloS one , Volume: 6, Number: 1, Pages: e16298
  • Factors associated with mosquito pool positivity and the characterization of the West Nile viruses found within Louisiana during 2007., Christofferson, Rebecca; Roy, Alma; Mores, Christopher, 2010, Virology journal , Volume: 7, Pages: 139
Other:
  • A Reevaluation of the Role of Aedes albopictus in Dengue Transmission., Christofferson, Rebecca, 2015
  • A Reevaluation of the Role of Aedes albopictus in Dengue Transmission., Christofferson, Rebecca, 2015