My general interests lie in the areas of arthropod physiology and developmental biology. More specifically, my research focuses on the physiology of tick feeding and reproduction as well as the molecular aspects of tick embryo development.

Friesen, KJ, Kaufman, WR. 2011. Steps toward characterizing the morphological and molecular aspects of embryo development in the African cattle tick, Ambylomma hebraeum (Koch). 7th International Conference on Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens, Zaragoza, Spain. Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2009. Salivary gland degeneration and vitellogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum: Surpassing a critical weight is the prerequisite and detachment from the host is the trigger. Journal of Insect Physiology 55:936-42. Seixas A, Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2008. Effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone and haemolymph on oogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 54: 1175-8. Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2004. Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone and other hormones on egg development, and identification of a vitellin-binding protein in the ovary of the tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 50: 519-529. Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2002. Quantification of vitellogenesis and its control by 20-hydroxyecdysone in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 48(8): 773-782.