Marion Risse

Research area

As a PhD student, my research dives into the world of disease vectors, focusing on how variations in human body odor attract mosquitoes. Using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry and powerful statistical analysis tools, I uncover crucial odor compound changes in women throughout their menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and how these shifts influence the attraction of the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae.

Historically, women have been underrepresented in biological and medical research, leading to significant gaps in understanding that impact women's health. For example, pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria, which can result in serious health issues like reduced birth weight and higher infant mortality rates. My research aims to bridge these gaps by exploring how female skin volatiles affect mosquito attraction, with a focus on disease transmission using Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.