Dr. Charles D. Criscione
Postdoctoral Scientist, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 2008
Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology, Oregon State University, 2005
M.S. Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2000
B.S. Zoology, Louisiana State University, 1995
“My lab conducts foundational research on the ecology and evolution of parasitic helminths (e.g., tapeworms, flukes, roundworms). We employ genetic markers and population genetics theory to address a diversity of scientific topics: from taxonomy and distributional data to empirical tests of evolutionary theory to applied molecular epidemiology. Of particular interest are questions centered on how parasite life histories and ecological dynamics influence evolutionary mechanisms and hence, consequential patterns of genetic variation within and among parasite populations.”
Research Specialties
Conservation & Population Genetics
How long have you been a faculty member at Texas A&M?
I started at A&M as an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department back in the Fall of 2008. I was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014 and then Full Professor in 2019.
What made you choose to join the A&M faculty?
I liked that the Biology Department had a focus on foundational basic research from cell and molecular genetics to ecology and evolution. Also, the faculty worked on a variety of research organisms and biological questions. Thus, there was always something new for me to be exposed to as well as resources to potentially tap into.
What is your favorite conference to go to? And why?
My favorite conference is the national meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists (ASP). I have been going to ASP since 2000 when I was a graduate student. The ASP meeting has always been and continues to be very student friendly. Every time I go, I feel like it is a family reunion coupled with an interesting diversity of research from parasite/host, cell/molecular genetics to the ecology/evolution of protozoan/metazoan parasites and their vectors. In July 2022, we are hosting (pun intended) the ASP here in College Station and am hoping to get various A&M faculty and students that work on parasites/vectors to present.
Fun Facts:
When I am not in the lab, I am…
Depends on the time of year: in winter, watching my sons’ wrestling matches; in spring, boiling crawfish or field work; in summer and fall, yard work or outdoor activities.
My favorite restaurant in College Station is?
Although there are some good restaurants in town, nothing beats my wife’s jambalaya or lasagna.
Do you have any pets? If so, please tell us about them.
We have a cat named Phoenix and we had two Boston Terroirs, Jake and Elwood (brothers; and yes, named after the Blues Brothers). Sadly, Elwood passed away earlier this year from lymphoma. Jake still has Phoenix to pal around with. Though in true cat nature, Phoenix sometimes lets Jake know he does not want to be bothered. Phoenix will only drink water from a running faucet, and there is not a single dog toy that Jake has not been able to tear apart.