Foy researches the interactions of vectors with their hosts and with vector pathogens to discover how to control the transmission of insect-borne diseases such as Zika virus and malaria. His current interests lie in defining concepts that govern bloodmeal acquisition and digestion by vectors, and parasite and arbovirus transmission from vertebrates to vectors and vice versa.

Foy’s lab is also developing mosquitoes and other vectors as biosurveillance tools, studying unique aspects of arbovirus transmission and poorly understood mosquito pathogens to control vector-borne diseases. He has also studied the long-tern effects of ivermectin treatment for malaria.

This research reflects Foy’s diverse interests and training in medical entomology, anthropology and ecology as well as molecular and cellular biology, immunology and tropical medicine research.

Foy earned his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame in 1994 and his Ph.D. from Tulane University in. 2001