Nsa Dada
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Life Sciences Center, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
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Mail code: 4501Campus: Tempe
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Nsa Dada, is an Assistant Professor at the School of Life Sciences and Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University. She is also the Founder and Lead of the Mosquito Microbiome Consortium, a collaborative initiative for the advancement of mosquito microbiome research.
Working within the global health sphere, she has led or been involved in research at the intersection of the biology, evolution, ecology/microbial ecology, and control of parasites and disease vectors at leading research and public health institutions around the world, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, where she was a resident American Society for Microbiology Postdoctoral Fellow, and subsequent Research Fellow. She has also served as a Global Health research consultant for institutions like the World Health Organization, the EU's European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, and the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association.
Her research efforts are now largely concentrated on understanding how mosquito-microbe interactions shape mosquito biology and evolutionary responses to changes in their habitats. She currently leads a research program that is aimed at understanding how microbes (both host and environmentally derived) shape the evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. She is a strong proponent of equitable 'Global North-South' research collaborations, and as such fosters several collaborative and research exchange initiatives between different institutions around the world.
Dr. Dada earned her BSc degree in Zoology from the University of Calabar, Nigeria, and her MSc degree in the Biology and Control of Parasites and Disease Vectors from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, England. She pursued a multidisciplinary doctoral research program at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway, and earned a PhD degree in Microbiology, with a focus on mosquito-microbe interactions.
When she's not immersed in research, she finds solace in nature, enjoying long walks, volunteering within her community, and exploring different cuisines during her travels.
PhD Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway)
Like other living organisms, mosquitoes harbor microbes (their microbiome) that significantly shape their biology and ecology, including their ability to transmit pathogens, or their vectorial capacity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how the mosquito microbiome responds to selective pressures, like insecticide use, and their role in host adaptation to these pressures are not fully understood. Research in the Dada Lab broadly aims to fill this knowledge gap, and we are currently focused on determining the mechanistic role of the mosquito microbiome in shaping host adaptation to insecticide pressure and, overall, how the holobiont (i.e. host and microbiome) responds to insecticide pressure. In addition to addressing these basic biology questions, our long-term goal is to identify microbial targets for novel mosquito surveillance strategies.
We study wild mosquito populations or their progeny under laboratory settings, as well as established laboratory strains to better understand the complex interactions occurring in natural settings. We integrate classical entomology, molecular, ‘omics, and bioinformatics tools to answer our research questions.
Peer-reviewed publications
- Maurice Marcel Sandeu*, Ghislaine Flore Mella Tamko, Claudine Grâce Maffo Tatsinkou, Ornella Possi, Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Solange Meyin A Ebong, François-Xavier Etoa, Flobert Njiokou, Nsa Dada, Charles S. Wondji. 2026. Molecular detection and maternal transmission of Microsporidia MB in the field-caught Anopheles coluzzii in Cameroon. Sci. rep., 16:20629 [Link]
- Maurice Marcel Sandeu*, Claudine Grâce Tatsinkou Maffo, Nsa Dada, Franklin Kouhoué Feukam, Flobert Njiokou, Grant Hughes, and Charles Wondji. Microbiota diversity of Anopheles gambiae in Bankeng, southern Cameroon and its association with Plasmodium falciparum infection. mSphere, 10:12 [Link]
- Stephen Okeyo*, Dieunel Derilus, Lucy Mackenzie Impoinvil, Nsa Dada, Diana Omoke, Helga Saizonou, Cynthia Awuor Odhiambo, Nicola Mulder, Gerald Juma, Benard W Kulohoma, John E Gimnig, Luc S. Djogbénou, Audrey Lenhart, Eric Ochomo*. 2025. Molecular markers of reduced behavioral sensitivity to transfluthrin in Anopheles gambiae s.s.from Western Kenya. BMC Genomics,26:565 [Link]
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Nsa Dada*, Victoria J. Simpson, Lucas N. Amenga-Etego, Eniyou Oriero, Olivo Miotto, Mili Estee Torok, Elijah O. Juma, Nana Aba Williams, Shavanthi Rajatileka, Cristina V. Ariani, Jaishree Raman, Deus S. Ishengoma*. 2024. Towards integrated malaria molecular surveillance in Africa. Trends in Parasitology, 40:11, p964-969 [Link]
& 2025 Trends in Parasitology: Best of 2024 [Link]
- Cynthia Awuor Odhiambo*, Dieunel Derilus, Lucy Mackenzie Impoinvil, Diana Omoke, Helga Saizonou, Stephen Okeyo, Nsa Dada, Nicola Mulder, Dorothy Nyamai, Steven Nyanjom, Audrey Lenhart, Luc Djogbénou, Eric Ochomo. 2024. Key gene modules and hub genes associated with pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes: A systems biology approach. BMC Genomics, 25:665 [Link]
- Maxime Girard, Edwige Martin, Laurent Vallon, Van Tran Van, Camille Da Silva Carvalho, Justine Sacks, Zélia Bontemps, Julie Balteneck, Florence Colin, Pénélope Duval, Simon Malassigné, James Swanson, Ian Hennessee, Stephanie Jiang, Lucrecia Vizcaino, Yamila Romer, Nsa Dada, et. al. 2024. Human-aided dispersal facilitates parasitism escape in the most invasive mosquito species. PNAS Nexus, 3:5 [Link]
- Helga Saizonou*, Lucy Mackenzie Impoinvil, Dieunel Derilus, Diana Omoke, Stephen Okeyo, Nsa Dada, Filémon Tokponon, Nicola Mulder, Audrey Lenhart, Eric Ochomo, Luc S. Djogbénou*. 2024. Transcriptomic analysis of Anopheles gambiae from Benin reveals overexpression of salivary and cuticular proteins associated with cross-resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates. BMC Genomics, 25:348 [Link]
- Diana Omoke*, Lucy Impoinvil, Dieunel Derilus, Stephen Okeyo, Helga Saizonou, Nicola Mulder, Nsa Dada, Audrey Lenhart, Luc Djogbénou, Eric Ochomo*. 2024. Whole transcriptomic analysis reveals overexpression of salivary gland and cuticular proteins genes in insecticide-resistant Anopheles arabiensis from Western Kenya. BMC Genomics, 25:313 [Link]
- Delelegn Woyessa*, Evangelia Morou, Nadja Wipf, Nsa Dada, Konstantinos Mavridis, John Vontas, Delenasaw Yewhalaw. 2023. Species composition, infection rate and detection of resistant alleles in Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) from malaria hotspot areas of Ethiopia. Malaria Journal, 22:233 [Link]
- Editorial: Diana M Proctor, Nsa Dada, Anna K Serquiña, Julia Willett*. 2023 Problems with peer review shine a light on gaps in scientific training. mBio; e03183-22 [Link]
- Warin Klakankhai, Sunaiyana Sathantriphop, Ratchadawan Ngoenklan, Nsa Dada, Vithee Muenworn, Tassanee Khawniam, Krajana Tainchum*. 2023 Chemical Profiles and Lethal Toxicities of Native Botanical Insecticides for the Control of Musca domestica Linnaeus and Stomoxys indicus Picard (Diptera: Muscidae) in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Journal of Economic Entomology; toac202, [Link]
- Maurice Marcel Sandeup*, Claudine Grâce Tatsinkou Maffo, Nsa Dada, Flobert Njiokou, Grant L. Hughes, Charles S. Wondji. 2022 Seasonal variation of microbiota composition in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in two different eco-geographical localities in Cameroon. Medical and veterinary entomology, 36 (3), 269-282 [Link]
- Dada, N.*, Benedict, A.C. u, López, F.J. u, Lol, J.C. t, Sheth, M., Padilla, N. and Lenhart, A. 2021 Comparative characterization of internal and cuticle surface microbiota of laboratory-reared F1 Anopheles albimanus originating from different sites. Malaria Journal, 20:414 [Link]
- Pelloquin, B. g, Kristan, M., Edi, C., Meiwald, A., Clark, E., Jeffries, C. L., Walker, T., Dada, N.‡, Messenger, L. A.‡*. 2021 Overabundance of Asaia and Serratia bacteria is associated with deltamethrin insecticide susceptibility in Anopheles coluzzii from Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire. Microbiology Spectrum, 9(2): e00157-21 [Link]
- Overgaard, H. J.*, Dada, N., Lenhart, A., Stenstrom, T-A, & Alexander, N., 2021 Integrated management of Aedes-borne arboviral diseases and diarrheal diseases. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 99:583-592[Link]
- Omoke, D. g, Kipsum, M., Otieno, S., Esalimba, E., Sheth, M., Lenhart, A., Njeru, EM., Ochomo, E., Dada, N.*, 2021. Western Kenyan Anopheles gambiae s.s. showing intense permethrin resistance harbor distinct microbiota. Malaria Journal, 20:77 [Link]
- Dada N*, Jupatanakul N, Minard G, Short SM, Akorli J, and Villegas LM, 2021. Considerations for mosquito microbiome research from the Mosquito Microbiome Consortium. Microbiome, 9:36 [Link]
- Ratisupakorn, S. g, Lorn, S., Dada, N., Ngampongsai, A., Chaivisit, P., Ritthison, W., & Tainchum, K.* 2021. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) susceptibility status to agrochemical-insecticides used in durian planting systems in southern Thailand. Journal of Medical Entomology, 58:3 [Link]
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Dada, N.*, Lol, J. C. t, Benedict, A. C. u, López, F. u, Sheth, M., Dzuris, N., Padilla, N., & Lenhart, A. 2019 Pyrethroid exposure alters internal and cuticle surface bacterial communities in Anopheles albimanus. The ISME Journal, 13:2447-2464 [Link]
& 2020 Charles C. Shepard Award for excellence in science (nominated)
- Nanthasane Vannavongg*, Razak Seidu, Thor-Axel Stenström, Nsa Dada, & Hans Jorgen Overgaard (2019) Dengue-like illness surveillance: a two-year longitudinal survey in suburban and rural communities in Laos and Thailand. WHO Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal, 10 (1) [Link]
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Nsa Dada, Mili Sheth, Kelly Liebman, Jesus Pinto & Audrey Lenhart* (2018) Whole metagenome sequencing reveals links between mosquito microbiota and insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. Scientific Reports, 8 (2084) [Link]
& 2020 Scientific Reports Editor's choice: vector-borne diseases [Link]
& 2019 Charles C. Shepard Award for excellence in science (nominated) [Link]
& 2018 Scientific Reports top 100 (#27) Microbiology articles [Link]
- Nanthasane Vannavongg*, Hans Jorgen Overgaard, Chareyonviriyaphap Theeraphap, Nsa Dada, Ram Rangsin, Archawongs Sibounhom, Thor-Axel Stenström, & Razak Seidu (2017) Assessing factors associated with E. coli contamination of household drinking water in suburban and rural Thailand and Laos. Journal of Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 18(3) [Link]
- Nanthasane Vannavongg*, Razak Seidu, Thor-Axel Stenstrom, Nsa Dada, Hans J. Overgaard (2017) Effects of socio-demographic characteristics and household water management on dengue vector production in suburban and rural villages in Thailand and Laos. Parasites & Vectors, 10 (170) [Link]
- Nsa Dada*, Estelle Jumas-Bilak, Sylvie Manguin, Razak Seidu, Thor-Axel Stenström, & Hans Jorgen Overgaard (2014) Comparative assessment of the bacterial communities associated with Aedes aegypti larvae and water from domestic water storage containers. Parasites & Vectors, 7(391) [Link]
- Nsa Dada*, Nanthasane Vannavong, Razak Seidu, Audrey Lenhart, Thor-Axel Stenström, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, & Hans J. Overgaard (2013) Relationship between Aedes aegypti production and occurrence of Escherichia coli in domestic water storage containers in rural and sub-urban villages in Thailand and Laos. Acta Tropica, 126(3):177-185 [Link]
- Hodges, M.*, Dada, N., Wamsley, A., Payet, J., Bangura, M., Nyorkor, E., Sonnie, M. & Zhang, Y. 2012. Mass drug administration significantly reduces infection of Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm in school children in the national control program in Sierra Leone. BMC Infectious Diseases, 12, 16. [Link]
- Hodges, M.*, Dada, N., Wamsley, A., Payet, J., Nyorkor, E., Sonnie, M., Barnish, G., Bockarie, M. & Zhang, Y. 2011. Improved mapping strategy to better inform policy on the control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Sierra Leone. Parasites & Vectors, 4, 97. [Link]
- Ene E. Oku, Donald A. Ukeh* and Nsa Dada, 2011. Prevalence and Seasonal Distribution of Daytime Biting Diptera in Rhoko Forest in Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Zoological Research, 7: 279-285. [Link]
Courses
2026 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 498 | Pro-Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
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| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
| BIO 385 | Comparat Invertebrate Zoology |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 498 | Pro-Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 498 | Pro-Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
Scialog Fellow • Mitigating Zoonotic Threats theme. Research Corporation for Science and Advancement.
Nominee • Charles C. Shepard Award for excellence in science. Entomology Branch, CDC.
Nominee • Charles C. Shepard Award for excellence in science. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR).
Recipient • Future Leader in International Medical Entomology (inaugural) Award. American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME), American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
Recipient • ASM-CDC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Infectious Diseases & Public Health
Recipient • Doctoral Research Fellowship. NMBU, Ås, Norway
- 2022-present Chair, ACME Travel Awards Committee
- 2021-present Executive Council Member, ACME
- 2020-present Member, International Society for Viruses of Microbes
- 2020-2021 Member, Norwegian Entomological Association
- 2019-present Member, Pan-African Mosquito Control Association
- 2019-present Associate Member, Microbiology Society, London, UK
- 2018-2019 Member, Entomological Society of America
- 2017-present Affiliate Member, Federation of European Microbiological Societies
- 2015-2020 Member, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- 2015-2020 Member, American Committee of Molecular, Cellular and
- Immunoparasitology 2015-2020 Member, American Committee on Global Health
- 2015-present Member, American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME)
- 2015-present Member, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)