Laurence J. Zwiebel, PhD

L.J. Zwiebel, a native New Yorker, earned his B.S. in biochemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he studied under Dr. Masayori Inouye. He completed an M.S. in Biology at the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at Brandeis University, focusing on the period gene's role in circadian rhythms under Drs. Jeffrey Hall and Michael Rosbash, both Nobel Laureates.

After his PhD, Dr. Zwiebel was a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Fotis C. Kafatos at Harvard University and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. He also holds a position as a Professor of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and is involved with several interdisciplinary programs.

Dr. Zwiebel mentors students at various levels and teaches courses on vector biology, molecular neuroscience, cell biology, and introductory biology. His research centers on the molecular and neurological aspects of host-seeking behaviors in disease vector mosquitoes, particularly the role of olfaction in these processes. This work aims to inform strategies for modifying mosquitoes to reduce their attraction to humans.

Additionally, Dr. Zwiebel has led various federally funded research projects and was the principal investigator for a Grand Challenge in Global Health award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focused on developing improved mosquito repellents. His lab also studies olfaction in eusocial ants, examining how they use pheromones for social interactions, with implications for understanding social behaviors in broader contexts.

Beyond his Vanderbilt responsibilities, Dr. Zwiebel is an advocate for vector biology and global health, participating in numerous speaking engagements and serving on various advisory panels, including those for the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

Education

PhD, Brandeis University
MS, University of Michigan