James Mutunga is an assistant professor in the biology program of the School of Science Engineering and Technology at Penn State Harrisburg campus. He earned a bachelor of science degree and master of science degree in biology from Jomo-Kenyatta University (Kenya), a doctor degree in entomology from Virginia Tech, and a postdoc in insect toxicology at the University of Florida. Prior to joining Penn State, James worked in various scientific research and academic institutions including Genesis Biolabs (Colorado), the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe-Kenya), the County Government of Machakos (Kenya), the U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Mount Kenya University and Vestergaard Sarl (Lausanne, Switzerland).

His research utilizes a translational approach that involves disciplines such as ecology, field entomology, biochemistry and molecular biology to study arthropod disease vector and pest bionomics. His work is aimed at advancing novel strategies to mitigate the increasing disease burden and risk associated with pests and vectors, with a focus on insecticide resistance adaptations. In addition to student-engaged research, graduate and undergraduate advising, James teaches several courses that include introductory ecology, populations and communities, and the ecology of infectious diseases.

Abstract
Title: “Navigating the insecticide resistance dilemma in disease vector control: a lab-to-field research landscape in African malaria mosquitoes ”
Insecticide resistance remains a growing threat to insect pest and disease vector control. Although the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) and the International Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) provide guidelines on resistance management at the operational level, the implementation of these guidelines has been an impediment across African countries. There is needfor continued research on products and strategies for resistance management in order to sustain the public health gains associated with disease vector control. A recent advancement has been the current use of new generation combination chemistry bed nets for malaria control in Africa, approved by WHO in 2023. There are emerging concerns of potential resistance development in these nets. In this paper, we present a lab-to-field landscape of studies that our research team has undertaken in developing resistance-breaking chemistries for malaria mosquitoes. We highlight the milestones achieved and lessons learnt, for adoption in a public health perspective of controlling malaria mosquitoes.