The Lutzomyia longipalpis complex: what's next?
Lutzomyia longipalpis is a phlebotomine sand fly of medico-veterinary importance and the primary vector of Leishmania infantum in the Americas. Its taxonomic status has been …
Professional Summary
Lucas Sousa-Paula is a Brazilian biologist and early-career scientist passionate about science and
discovery. He is dedicated to understanding arthropod vectors and the pathogens they transmit,
integrating fieldwork and vector biology with cutting-edge molecular approaches.
Education
Ph.D. Biosciences and Biotechnology in Health
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil
M.Sc. Biological Sciences
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
B.Sc. Biology
Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú, Brazil
Interests
Vector Biology
Omics Technology
Evolution
Vector-borne Diseases
My Research
I am an early-career scientist interested in arthropod vectors and the pathogens they transmit, with a particular focus on phlebotomine sand flies and ticks.
My research integrates fieldwork, ecological and systematic approaches, and cutting-edge molecular tools to investigate the complex interactions among vectors, pathogens, and vertebrate hosts. I am particularly interested in evolutionary processes and cryptic speciation in the context of vector-borne diseases (VBDs).
Please reach out to collaborate.
Featured Publications
The Rhipicephalus sanguineus group: updated list of species, geographical distribution, and vector competence.
The Rhipicephalus sanguineus group is an assembly of species morphologically and phylogenetically related to Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto. The taxonomy and systematics of …
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Recent Publications
(2025).
Ten simple rules for implementing deep amplicon sequencing in parasitology..
International Journal for Parasitology.
(2025).
The Lutzomyia longipalpis complex: what's next?.
Trends in Parasitology.
(2025).
IxsS7: A novel biomarker for Ixodes scapularis tick bite exposure in humans..
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases.
(2024).
The Rhipicephalus sanguineus group: updated list of species, geographical distribution, and vector competence..
Parasites & Vectors.
(2024).
Ixochymostatin, a trypsin inhibitor-like (TIL) protein from Ixodes scapularis, inhibits chymase and impairs vascular permeability..
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
Integrating molecular data for studying artropod vectors and their associated pathogens.
Recent News
Cover: Article featured in Trends in Parasitology!
The debate about the taxonomic status of Lutzomyia longipalpis is highlighted.