Joshua Gibson, Ph.D.

Research Areas

Speciation, Genetics, Evolution, Sociality, Mitochondrial Physiology, Insects

Education

• B.S., Loyola College in Maryland
• Ph.D., Arizona State University

Publications

1. Gibson J.D. The social and behavioral underpinnings of ant invasiveness: a review of recent advances. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2026 Oct; 101531. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2026.101531
2. Kanwar, S., Nowicki, R.K., Mavourneen, I.R.E., Gibson J.D. Behavioral interactions in two ant species in the Southeast United States and evidence for a native supercolony. Insectes Sociaux, 2025, Nov; 72:523-530. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-025-01034-0
3. Whyte B.A., Sandidge R., Buellesbach J., Cash E.I., Scheckel K.J., Gibson J.D., Tsutsui N.D. Desiccation resistance and micro-climate adaptation: body size and cuticular hydrocarbon composition determines survival in Argentine ants (Linepithema humile). Journal of Experimental Biology, 2023, Aug; 226:16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.245578
4. Cobb B.A., Gibson J.D. Mortality in Interspecific Hybrids of Nasonia vitripennis and Nasonia giraulti (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Journal of Entomological Science, 2023, Oct; 58:381-387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18474/JES23-35
5. Brown L.D., Maness R., Hall C., Gibson J.D. Reactive oxygen species-mediated immunity against bacterial infection in the gut of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2021, Sep; 136: 103620. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103620
6. Olney K.C., Gibson J.D., Natri H.M., Underwood A., Gadau J, Wilson MA. Lack of parent-of-origin effects in Nasonia jewel wasp: A replication and extension study. PLoS ONE, 2021,  Jun; 16(6): e0252457. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252457

Funding

Current Grants

1. NIH – NIGMS – R15. Nuclear-Mitochondrial Mismatch in Mitochondrial Function and Disease. 8/2025-8/2027 $507,544 PI

Research Projects

1. Determine how mitochondrial function is impacted by mismatched alleles at a locus causing extreme mortality in Nasonia wasp hybrids. Hypothesis: Extreme hybrid mortality (>95%) associated with mismatched Nv nuclear and Ng mitochondrial alleles is due to impaired mitochondrial function. To test this hypothesis, we will utilize both male and female hybrids to model the recessive nature of many human mitochondrial diseases. We will generate hybrids with the mismatched nuclear allele and the matching allele by using our “rescue” strain that more than triples hybrid survival. We will determine the specific impacts on mitochondrial function by isolating mitochondria from these hybrids and individually measuring the activity of each of the respiratory chain complex enzymes and overall mitochondrial oxygen consumption using physiological assays that are used in the diagnosis of human mitochondrial disease. The physiological assays of this Aim will then be applied to the strains produced in Specific Aim 2, providing a modular research design to enable efficient student training.
2. Identify and isolate candidate nuclear loci that cause mortality and assess their impact on mitochondrial function in Nasonia wasp hybrids. Hypothesis: Uncharacterized chromosomal regions contribute to hybrid mortality due to a mismatch between nuclear and mitochondrial alleles. Mismatched alleles associated with hybrid mortality result in larval death and will thus be less frequent in surviving adult hybrids. We will leverage this by using a pooled genomic sequencing approach to compare allele frequencies at loci across the genome in 1000s of hybrid eggs and surviving adult hybrids. We will then perform a PCR-mediated introgression process to produce strains with the identified mismatched nuclear loci isolated in an otherwise mitochondrially-matching nuclear genomic background and assess the role of selected candidate loci in mortality and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Research Group

Undergraduate Students

• Megan Barnes
• Emma O’Steen
• Gabrielle Hawk
• Emma Juan-Espinal
• Kayla Casey

Graduate Students

• Alexandria Nault
• Jen McCarty
• Samin Yasar

PostBaccalaureate

• Unique Marrero