Request for Information (DUE TOMORROW): Developing the National Public Health Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Humans
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks public input on ways to strengthen and improve the nation's response to vector-borne diseases in a number of areas. Please consider submitting input that addresses one or more of the areas below:
What do you recommend as the top priorities to address vector-borne diseases in the United States during the next five years? Why are these the most important priorities?
What goals, objectives, and strategies would you propose for each of your top priority areas?
Do you have recommendations on specific research or programmatic efforts to improve surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of vector-borne diseases?
Any additional topics you wish to provide input on.
If you would like for PacVec to include your input in a collective response to this request, please send your thoughts to questions@pacvec.us. All comments must be submitted before midnight eastern time on June 11, 2021. The information received will inform the development of the HHS National Strategy to address vector-borne diseases [Learn More].
Characterizing areas with increased burden of West Nile virus disease in California, 2009–2018
From 2009 to 2018, California reported more human disease cases due to West Nile virus than any other state in the United States. A new study published by a team of collaborators at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) sought to examine patterns of WNV disease at a finer geographic scale to identify areas with disproportionately high disease burden. Eleven areas, consisting of groups of high-burden ZIP codes, were identified in nine counties in southern California and California's Central Valley. These areas represent only 2% of California's land area and 17% of the state's population, but they accounted for 44% of reported WNV cases and had a mean annual disease incidence that was 2.4 times the statewide rate. The identified areas represent key locations where enhanced mosquito control and public education efforts could lower WNV disease burden [full article].
Got ticks? Contact BiTeRS!
The Border Tick and Rickettsia Surveillance (BiTeRS) program of the Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (PacVec)offers services to enhance surveillance for ticks and tick-borne pathogens of human health concern in California and Arizona. This is made possible through our project leaders at the University of California, Davis and the University of Arizona, and collaborating local and state agencies, including the California Department of Public Health and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
We work with partner organizations to:
Perform surveillance for ticks and tick-borne diseases in their area
Learn about risks of tick-borne diseases in their area by testing ticks for pathogens/diseases
Collect and submit ticks for identification and testing
Rapidly report results of tick identification and pathogen testing to submitting partners
Provide training on ticks and tick-borne disease
We help every step of the way, and shipping and testing are FREE. Collection supplies and protocols are provided, and partners receive all results on ticks they have submitted.
Partner organizations may be:
Government entities (local, tribal, county, or other)
Workplaces with tick exposure
Animal control, humane, or veterinary organizations
Pest control services
Other businesses or groups near the southern border with potential tick exposure
In California, please contact Janet Foley and Laura Backus atcalticks@pacvec.usor call (530) 754-9740. In Arizona, contact Kathleen Walker and Lucy Li at azticks@pacvec.usor call (520) 405-9401. Stay Safe!
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes detected in San Joaquin County, California
The invasive mosquito species, Aedes aegypti has been found for the first time this year in the city of Stockton, California, according to the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District. This is the third consecutive year that this Ae. aegypti has been discovered in the city. “This is the earliest find of the yellow fever mosquito in the last three years for San Joaquin County,” said Aaron Devencenzi, public information officer for the District. “The public can help prevent the spread of these invasive mosquitoes by calling in daytime biting mosquitoes to the District,” said Devencenzi. The District will continue surveillance efforts by placing traps used to collect adult mosquitoes and their eggs. Additional measures may include door-to-door inspections of the residential area near the recent Ae. aegypti detection [news article][press release].
West Nile continues in the Pacific Southwest
West Nile virus (WNV) activity continues to increase in the Pacific Southwest. The virus was recently detected for the first time this year in two California counties: Los Angeles and Kern. The first detection in Los Angeles County was found in a dead crow collected in South Pasadena, announced by the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District on Monday, June 7th. The first positive WNV mosquito sample in Kern County was in southwest Bakersfield, as confirmed by the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District. As mosquito season ramps up, vector control agencies urge the public to take precautions such as applying repellents on exposed skin and eliminating mosquito breeding sites from backyards.
Support CDC's development of new tick surveillance tools!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking Ixodes spp. ticks to expand their reference collection to support morphological identification and for the development of new molecular assays to identify ticks to species. If you have any additional ethanol-preserved ticks available that you’d be willing to send (shipping address is given below), CDC would love to receive up to 30 per species and life stage per submitter. Ideally, these would be accompanied with information on when the tick was collected and from which county.
Please submit ticks to: Shelby Ford, CDC/DVBD/BDB, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521.
Package tubes in a suitable container according to your shipper’s guidelines. Shipments in 70% ethanol must comply with the allowable limits of the federal government’s “Small Quantity” provision for ground transport. See US Postal Service instructions. Other shippers have similar rules, so check with your preferred shipper before sending samples. Each package must be clearly marked on the address side with the following words: “This package conforms to 49 CFR 173.4.”
PacVec is holding a virtual spring seminar series from May to July 2021, featuring a great lineup of speakers. Join us via Zoom for our second seminar on June 22nd, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM PDT!
Recordings available:
Krijn Paaijmans, Arizona State University:“From Mozambique to Maricopa: How do human and mosquito behaviors impact vector control” [VIEW RECORDING]
Kathleen Walker, The University of Arizona: “Impacts of ULV applications on vectorial capacity of Aedes aegypti”[VIEW RECORDING]
To be notified about upcoming seminars, please sign up for our mailing list by clicking subscribe. Please distribute this announcement to your membership: [Announcement][Flyer]
Zoonoses & One Health Updates (ZOHU) Calls are one-hour monthly webinars that provide timely education on zoonotic and infectious diseases, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, vector-borne diseases, recent outbreaks, and related health threats at the animal-human-environment interface.
Free Continuing Educationfor a variety of public health, animal health, and human health professionals. Participants can earn CME, CNE, CEU, CECH, CPH and AAVSB/RACE. Each call is recorded and available online for those unable to attend live sessions.
Contact us if you have questions or suggestions for future topics.
Subscribe to the monthly ZOHU Call News and Updates email newsletter.
Virtual Seminar Series on Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases - Next Seminar on July 13th, 2021
The Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Disease (CREID) is hosting a virtual seminar series every second Tuesday of the month starting January 2021. Register in advance for this webinar series!
Learn to develop an effective vector surveillance program, collect data, and communicate risk with the Cornell Entomology Department and eCornell in the newest online course Vector-Borne Diseases Surveillance. Take this 3-week instructor-led course with Dr. Laura Harrington and learn best practices to implement vector surveillance, data, and reporting methods. The next offering of the course is scheduled to begin in July 7, 2021. Register by July 1st!
The CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases has developed an online tick training course, now available! This course is an introduction to ticks, tick-borne diseases, and tick control for employees in the urban pest management industry, public health entomologists, and anyone interested in learning more about ticks. This self-paced course is eligibile for 2 FDACS CEUs. Learn more and enroll for free!
Web-based Global Directory of Medical Entomology Courses
TDR has supported the development of a Global Atlas of Medical Entomology Schooling (GAMES), which lists a total of 126 medical entomology courses offered both on-campus and through distance learning in 32 countries across all WHO regions, covering seven languages. The freely available directory was developed in collaboration with the GVH and ARCTEC at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), following the mapping of courses available globally. WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the WHO Global Malaria Programme have also reviewed the directory and provided recommendations. For each course, session dates, course outline, fees, language of instruction and responsible managers are listed. REGISTERLEARN MORE
If you have mosquito (Aedes or Culex) samples to be tested for insecticide resistance, PacVec is providing testing and training services at no charge, and all results will be returned to you. Dr. Anton Cornel's laboratory is leading this activity and organizing various regional training workshops on bottle bioassay testing. If you are interested, please contact us right away at bioassays@pacvec.usto arrange for shipment and timing of the testing.
UPDATE - Current situation with PacVec resistance testing
Dr. Anton Cornel and Katherine Brisco are both working at the lab full time now and are starting up their resistance testing for the season (both bottle bioassays and field trials). However, due to traveling for field trials and training workshops, testing will be conducted by prior arrangement on a first-come first-served basis.
New CDC website for the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases
The CDC Division of Vector-Borne Diseases launched a new website highlighting the five Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (CoE). This website is a central location where you can learn more about the mission, key issues, and impact of each of the CoE programs. Visit the CoE website today!
In collaboration with partners at the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, PacVec CoE has produced new training videos providing an overview of resistance testing for larval mosquitoes. The videos discuss the rationale for monitoring resistance in mosquitoes, an overview of dose responses and how the dose response changes as resistance to larvicides evolves in a mosquito population, the different types of larval mosquito control agents, the supplies needed for carrying out bioassays, bioassay set-up and making stock solutions of control agents, and interpreting the bioassay results. See the videos and related materials at https://pacvec.us/larval-mosquito-resistance-testing-video/.
Vector Control and Public Health Agencies Need Summer Interns for 2021, or Just Help Advertising Positions for Students?
Please contact us anytime if your agency has seasonal positions that may be of interest to undergraduate students in the Pacific Southwest region. Such positions are important formative experiences for students, and they are excellent opportunities to raise awareness of career opportunities in vector-borne diseases. These can be simple job postings that we will advertise to our undergraduates or we can help you partner with faculty for project-based internships that involve academic credit with a faculty mentor and possible continued data analysis during the school year. If you are interested, please send us a note at training@pacvec.us. To maximize your audience and reach the best candidates for your positions, please send us these position announcements as early as possible, ideally in January or February, before students have settled their summer plans.
One postdoctoral position is available for a highly motivated individual to study mosquito – pathogen - host interactions using state-of-the-art approaches, combining infection assays,genetics, interaction and field studies. The postdoctoral scientist will have considerable freedom to develop related research projects according to his/her interests. Expertise and aptitude in at least some of the following areas is essential: molecular biology, entomology, animal handling, virology, genetics, immunology and field work. The Vasilakis Lab [Nikos Vasilakis Lab | Create-NEO | Sealy Center for Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases] is affiliated to the Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch. The department have state-of-the-art biocontainment and insectary facilities and comprise an excellent group of faculty with a broad range of interests and expertise in vector-borne infectious diseases. The department and institution provide an excellent environment for biomedical career development. Please address inquires and applications (letter of personal and academic goals, CV, and contact information for two references) to Nikos Vasilakis (nivasila@utmb.edu).
A postdoctoral position is available in Gabriel Hamer’s Lab (http://hamerlab.tamu.edu) in the Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University. The successful candidate will contribute to one or more research projects funded by multiple federal sponsors, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense, and the National Institutes of Health. Lab projects include the evaluation of mosquito and tick control interventions, triatomine vector biology and control, mosquito and triatomine transmission experiments, and high containment research on SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. Review of applications will begin immediately and the positions will remain open until filled. The expected start date is flexible. Applications should include a CV, statement of research interests, the names of three references and be e-mailed as a single PDF to: ghamer@tamu.edu
Under general supervision of the Principal Investigator, this individual will assist in conducting NIH -funded research focusing on mosquito-Zika virus interactions using multidisciplinary approaches involving biochemical assays, mass spectrometry, viral genetics, CRISPR /Cas9 genetic screening, and in-vivo mosquito studies. The position requires a PhD in molecular biology or other biomedical sciences field with expertise in techniques related to proteomics and genomics research as well as gene editing and cell culture techniques; and excellent record- keeping and writing skills. This expertise could have been gained during the normal course of a doctoral degree program.
Salary: $53,760.00 per year Location: Columbia, SC Application due: 06/07/2021
The University of South Carolina Laboratory (UofSC) of Zoonotic and Vector-borne diseases is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join the lab, starting January 2021. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Melissa Nolan to execute multiplex pathogen detection assays, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis on pediatric cohort samples and insect vector species. About the UofSC Laboratory of Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases: the laboratory focuses on the epidemiology of Spotted Fever group rickettsioses, Chagas disease, gastrointestinal parasites and emerging arboviral pathogens in the United States and Latin America.
The Thangamani Lab is looking to hire an organized, detail-oriented, and motivated individual to investigate the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in New York through their Citizen Science Program (Upstate Tick Testing Program - www.nyticks.org). Individual with demonstrated experience in tick surveillance and pathogen testing is preferred. Minimum qualification is a Bachelor's degree in Biological sciences or a related field. For additional information or informal discussion, please reach out to thangams@upstate.edu.
The Thangamani Lab is looking to hire an organized, detail-oriented, and motivated individual. The ideal candidate will use molecular, immunological and imaging methods to investigate the biology of arbovirus transmission at the vector-host-virus interface. Individual with demonstrated experience in viral immunology and imaging is preferred. Enthusiastic individual should also have: (1) Strong interest in our lab research [https://thangamani-lab.com/research-projects], (2) Willingness to work with BSL-3 agents within BSL-3/ABSL-3/ACL-3 laboratories, (3) Possess strong verbal/written communication & organizational skills
Dr. Michael Wimberly is seeking an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to study the environmental determinants of mosquito-borne disease transmission. The position is in the Ecological and Geospatial Research and Applications in Planetary Health (EcoGRAPH) group in the Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. The postdoc will have a major role in a new NIH-funded study exploring urban landscapes, climate variability, and mosquito transmission in India. This exciting project (R01AI153444) is a collaboration with Cornell University and the University of Chicago. They will also contribute to an established project on West Nile virus forecasting across four U.S. states.
The position is available as early as May 1, 2021, although a later start date is negotiable, and will be open until filled. To apply, please send a letter of interest and a CV to Dr. Mike Wimberly at mcwimberly@ou.edu. Please feel free to send an email first if you have questions about the position
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Urban Pest Management
The Urban Entomology lab at Department of Entomology, Rutgers University has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position starting in January 2021. Primary responsibility is to conduct applied research in urban pest management. Current projects include house mouse and cockroach management research in apartment buildings. The secondary responsibility is to collaborate with the pest control industry to design, execute, and summarize bioassays. Requires a PhD in area of Entomology or closely related field. Visit the page of Dr. Changlu Wangto learn more about this position and how to apply.
The Reiskind Vector Ecology Laboratory at North Carolina State University has a research assistantship available for a doctoral or master’s student. Responsibilities would include assessing bed net material efficacy, maintaining mosquito colonies, and developing and completing an original research thesis or dissertation project on the ecology of arthropod vectors. The position is available starting in June of 2021, with enrollment as a graduate student in August of 2021. The position comes with a competitive stipend, health insurance, and tuition and fees paid. For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Reiskind or our Director of Graduate Programs, Dr. Clyde Sorenson about applying.
The Gompper lab at New Mexico State University’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology (https://fwce.nmsu.edu/) is seeking a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the field of Wildlife Disease Ecology, with a focus on understanding parasite-host interactions in the arid-land ecosystems of the southwestern US. Pending final approval of funding for the position, the expected start date is July 1 2021 (although earlier or later start dates may be possible). It is expected that two years of support is available for the position. The selected candidate will focus on several projects, including most prominently a NSF-funded study of the ecology of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and a USDA – McIntire-Stennis funded project on the impacts of fire on the ecological parasitology of mammals.
Please send cover letter (describing motivation, qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to this position), CV, and names (with contact information) of three references to gompperm@nmsu.edu. Evaluation of applications will commence April 1 2021 and continue until the position is filled.
The Aliota laboratory at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary medicine is seeking a postdoc to help lead multidisciplinary projects in arbovirus evolution, transmission, and pathogenesis. The candidate for this position may work on projects that are mosquito-centric, vertebrate-centric, virus-centric, or a mix of all three. The position is available as early as May 2021 and will be for a minimum of 2 years. The projects will include one or more of the following: (1) the impact of pre-existing immunity to dengue virus on Zika virus pathogenesis in pregnant nonhuman primates, (2) the molecular evolution of Zika virus during host switching, (3) antiviral signaling at the maternal-fetal interface, or (4) other interesting projects that may emerge.
Email your CV, 1 page cover letter (that includes an outline of the research projects/interests you may like to develop or bring to the lab), 1 writing sample (paper or grant), and the contact info for 3 references; or questions to mtaliota@umn.edu.
Location: Minneapolis, MN Application due: Open until filled (start date is anytime between May and December 2021)
A full-length work term for interns would start in May and end in October which generally corresponds to our mosquito season. The greatest need of the District for this position is from June through August. Well-qualified or returning employees in this position may be granted flexibility in work term, if necessary, provided it does not compromise District operations or goals. The specific timing of all work schedules and terms will be dictated by environmental conditions and the needs of the District.
Full-time and part-time work in the surveillance laboratory is available. Sac-Yolo MVCD can provide some flexibility for work hours if the applicant cannot commit to 40 hours/week. Anyone interested should follow up with the district at info@fightthebite.net.
The position of Seasonal Assistant is considered a temporary, non-permanent, at-will position. A traditional "season" lasts approximately 6 months with a tentative start date between MAY and JULY 2021.
Salary: $16.03 - $18.87per hour Location: Garden Grove, CA Application due: Continuous
The USDA-ARS Emerging Pests & Pathogens Research Unit in Ithaca, NY on Cornell University’s campus has a new position open for a Research Insect Pathologist/Entomologist. Incumbent is responsible for research on the biology and integrated management of insect pests and insect-vectored diseases. Research will focus on host-pathogen interactions between insects and a variety of agents, and use of the information to develop novel, bio-intensive IPM systems. Apply through USAJobs.gov position control number 602773400 by June 24, 2021.
Salary: $77,488.00 to $119,787.00 per year Location: Ithaca, NY Application due: 06/24/2021
The Vector-Borne Disease Section of the California Department of Public Health is recruiting for a Public Health Biologist at the Associate level. Under direction by the Northern Region Supervising Public Health Biologist, Vector-Borne Disease Section, the incumbent will independently conduct vector-borne disease prevention, surveillance, and control activities in a designated region and elsewhere in California as required. The position is a full journey level Associate Public Health Biologist. The incumbent will conduct the more difficult and highly specialized epidemiological investigations and disease surveillance in the assigned area; plan, organize, and carry out applied research and other projects on vector-borne diseases; maintain contact with managers and scientific staff of vector control agencies, Health Officers, and Directors of environmental health programs; and provide training, technical assistance, consultation, and related activities for vector-borne disease prevention.
Salary: $5,662.00 - $7,372.00 per month Location: Elk Grove, CA Application due: 6/25/2021
The Contra Costa MVCD is seeking an experienced, transformational, and engaging Human Resources and Risk Management Director who possesses the creativity and flexibility to function effectively as a key member of our dynamic and progressive staff. The Director of Human Resources and Risk Management plans, manages, directs, and organizes human resources, safety, and risk management activities including recruitment/selection, employee classification, compensation, benefits administration, retirement system, training and development, labor/employee relations, personnel records, performance management, regulatory compliance, equal employment opportunity, employee programs and events, risk management, safety and health, and Workers’ Compensation. Additionally, the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management will direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Human Resources and Risk division work plan, projects and programs; review and evaluate work products; establish effective and streamline methods and procedures, coordinate all District training. The Director of Human Resources and Risk Management must have a high level of integrity along with the ability to handle sensitive information to maintain confidentiality and an ability to engage staff with proactive and collaborative employee relations skills.
Salary: $7,340.00 to $9,836.00 per month Location: Concord, CA Application due: Open until filled
The Kings Mosquito Abatement District is accepting applications for the Area Supervisor position. Under direction, the Area Supervisor is to perform inspections and control operations in an assigned area or specialized function of a mosquito abatement agency and to do related work as required. Some knowledge of mechanics, general problems and techniques of vector control, including the use of pesticides and safety precautions; ability to work independently and responsibly; to organize and conduct assigned vector abatement field operations, to make accurate observations and to keep detailed records; ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other employees and the public; and to evaluate situations accurately, and to maintain and appreciate safety precautions. Applications and resumes may be sent via email to office@kingsmosqutio.net, or by mail at the following address: 13960 Power Way, Hanford, Ca 93230. Please contact the District for additional details at (559) 584-3326.
The Natural Resources and Land Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is hiring for two Senior Integrated Pest Management Specialists for their Sunol and Burlingame work locations. Under direction, the Senior Integrated Pest Management Specialist is responsible for the assignment and supervision of a crew of integrated pest management specialists engaged in the inspection trees, shrubs, grass, rights of way (roads, flood control channels, transportation corridors, lots, landscaping and easements, etc.), bodies of water and structures for evidence of various pests and related damage, and taking appropriate steps to resolve problems.
Salary: $85,150.00 - $103,506.00 per year Location: San Francisco, CA Application due: Continuous
Under the direction of the District Manager and the Superintendent of Operations, the Urban Programs Specialist is responsible for the general, day-to-day, field operations and implementation of the District’s urban residential vector control programs, including the green pool, invasive Aedes, utility vault and storm drain programs, on a District-wide basis. The Urban Programs Specialist assists in the planning, development and organization of the urban vector control programs, and is responsible for evaluating the programs and assists with programmatic changes and modifications. The Urban Programs Specialist supervises, trains, directs and assists field personnel in their daily operational work activities.
Salary: $68,592.00 - $75,636.00 per year Location: Parlier, CA Application due: Open until filled
Under general direction of the Manager or his/her designee, the Geographic Information System (GIS) / Information Technology (IT) Coordinator is responsible for the development, coordination and maintenance of the District’s Geographical Information Systems and the District’s hardware and software systems. Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and a complete and current resume/CV that includes three verifiable references. Those invited to be interviewed will be required to complete a District employment application form.
Salary: $65,930.00 - $79,725.00 per year Location: Stockton, CA Application due: Open until filled
West Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District is seeking applications for the following position: Scientific Operations Director. Under the direct supervision of the District Manager, the Scientific Director 1) plans, implements, directs, and administers the District’s Scientific Programs, and 2) supervises and trains laboratory scientific staff and any seasonal employees.
Salary: $46.16 - $57.64 per hour (depends on experience) Location: Ontario, CA Application due: Open until filled
Under the direction of the General Manager, provides leadership, plans, organizes, and directs operational programs and facilities. Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Operations Department, demonstrates a full understanding, and ensures compliance with federal and state laws, county, and city ordinances, District policies, and procedures, as well as represented employees’ Memorandum of Understanding. Coordinates assigned activities with other departments, outside agencies, and vendors, supervises and coordinates the maintenance and repair of buildings, grounds, and equipment, and other duties as required.
Salary: $7,956.00 - $10,662.00 per month Location: Concord, CA Application due: Open until filled
Under direction of the Operations Manager, supervises assigned employees and oversees related vector programs; performs quality control inspections; provides field and classroom instruction and training to field staff; assists field employees with problematic service request, vector inspections and control work; coordinates various projects with other agencies concerning implementation of code enforcement/administrative citation processes, field surveys, community education projects, and other related vector projects; and does other related supportive services as required.
Salary: $7,340.00 - $9,836.00 per month Location: Contra Costa County, CA Application due: Open until filled
Under the general direction of the Assistant Manager and direct supervision of the Field or Fisheries Supervisor, this position performs inspections and control operations or other related or specialized services in an assigned crew within the Control Operations department for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Salary: starting at $4,162.00 per month Location: Elk Grove, CA Application due: Continuous
Under the direction of the Scientific Program Manager, the Laboratory Technician I assists with field surveys for vectors and vector-borne diseases, identifies mosquitoes and other organisms to species and submits them for testing, assists with care/maintenance of sentinel chicken flocks, records data and performs routine data entry, assists with laboratory assays and field research projects, keeps laboratory and lab equipment clean and organized, assists with repair and maintenance of field surveillance equipment, and performs other work as needed by the District.
Salary: $6,403.00 - $8,581.00 per month Location: Contra Costa County, CA Application due: Open until filled
A US based position to manage the Valent BioSciences’ Public Health portfolio of business in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Responsible for managing the regional field technical sales force including staff development, evaluation, and performance. Coordinate and lead development of annual regional business plans. Develop and manage the expense budget. Identify and respond to government tenders. Identify and develop distribution agreements with appropriate partners. Coordinate with VBC Development and Marketing staff to prioritize VBC activities that meet company expectations for sales and profit. Maintain strong understanding of technology/biotechnology of products in the Public Health market. Establish strong relationships with key accounts, opinion leaders, channel partners and other stakeholders. Understand and convey the VBC Public Health and value proposition to protect human potential throughout the stakeholder value chain. Work well in a matrix environment with R&D, Marketing, Customer Service, Regulatory, Finance and IT.
Location: Libertyville, IL Application due: Open until filled
Health Science Department Chair, (Associate or Full Professor, Tenure)
The Department of Health Science & Human Ecology at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) invites applications from a diverse group of qualified applicants for a tenure track position of Department Chair, tenured, at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to begin August 2021. The Chair for the Department of Health Science & Human Ecology will work collaboratively with the faculty to provide leadership in performing a shared vision for the department. The Chair will responsibly oversee the budget, support and encourage student success, create partnerships in the community, and celebrate faculty, staff, alumni, and student achievements. The Chair must demonstrate transparency, a profound sense of professionalism, an unwavering ethical compass, and strong support for all aspects of public health and interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaboration. The Chair will represent the Department in requesting faculty, resources, and space from the College and University. The Department Chair will also be responsible to support and work with its faculty, staff, and students to maintain accreditation of various programs in the Department.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications Location: San Bernardino, CA Application due: Continuous
Assistant/Associate Professor (Arbovirus Systems Genetics, Genomics, or Engineering)
This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 85% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 15% teaching (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences). Appointment at the Associate Professor level will be considered for individuals with special qualifications and experience and/or demonstrable research productivity and funding record. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Research duties focus on arthropod vectors of disease, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, and the pathogens they transmit with emphasis on using modern genetic engineering tools and procedures (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated transgenesis) for developing and evaluating new information and tools relevant to arbovirus system management. Tenure will accrue in the appropriate department in UF-IFAS. All inquiries should be made by email to clord@ufl.edu.
Location: Vero Beach, FL Application due:06/01/2021 (this position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is obtained)
State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University seeks an internationally recognized expert in tick-borne diseases to apply for an Associate or Full Professor of Empire Innovation position (EIP). The successful candidate will join a growing team of collaborative and interdisciplinary infectious disease researchers within the newly established SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases. This position offers a highly competitive hard-money state-line salaries and generous start-up package.
The incumbent will serve as an Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of PMB and as such will be responsible for teaching, research, administrative assignments, and service at the program, departmental, and university levels. He/she will be responsible for research and teaching in PMB Graduate Programs. The successful candidate is expected to teach courses in human Parasitology and Medical Zoology in both the School of Medicine and the Graduate School, serve as an academic advisor to both master’s and doctoral level students, and serve on thesis and dissertation committees for students in the School of Medicine and the Graduate School.
Location: Bethesda, MD Applications posted:09/28/2020 (Open until filled)
Multiple Faculty Positions in Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for multiple research-intensive tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in emerging and re-emerging viruses that expand and build upon our programmatic strengths, expertise, assets and impact. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to virus-host interactions, animal models, ecology, immunology, genetics and evolution, structural biology, and zoonotic transmission. Successful candidates will join a highly interactive virology and infectious disease research community on campus that is an integral part of the university’s Infectious Disease Institute, including the Center for Retrovirus Research, Center of Microbiome Science, and a newly NIH-funded center, STOP-COVID. These positions are part of the university’s new initiatives on research for academic excellence. Application materials should be submitted to Casey Hofmann. Inquiries may be directed to the chair of the search committee,Dr. Shan-Lu Liu.
Location: Columbus, OH Application due: Review of applications will begin 06/01/2021 and continue until positions are filled
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Narasimhan S, Swei A, Abouneameh, Pal U, Pedra JHF, Fikrig E. Grappling with the tick microbiome. Trends Parasitol. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.004
Deng J, Guo Y, Su X, Liu S, Yang W, Yan G et al. Impact of deltamethrin-resistance in Aedes albopictus on its fitness cost and vector competence. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009391
Chen TY, Vorsino AE, Kosinski KJ, Romero-Weaver A, Chiu JC, Lee Y et al. A magnetic-bead-based mosquito DNA extraction protocol for next-generation sequencing. JoVE. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3791/62354
Salkeld DJ, Lagana DM, Wachara J, Porter WT, Nieto NC. Examining prevalence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens in questing Ixodes pacificus ticks in California. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00319-21
Hacker GM, Jackson BT, Niemela M, Andrews ES, Danforth ME, Pakingan MJ et al. A Comparison of Questing Substrates and Environmental Factors That Influence Nymphal Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) Abundance and Seasonality in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of California. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab037
Scott JD, Pascoe EL, Sajid MS, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected in Southern Ontario, Canada. Pathogens. 2021.https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10030327
Amos BA, Cardé RT. Efficiency of the CO2-baited omni-directional Fay-Prince trap under semi-field conditions and characterizing response behaviours for the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Med and Vet Entomol. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12516
Mack LK, Kelly ET, Lee Y, Brisco KK, Cornel AJ, Attardo GM et al. Frequency of sodium channel genotypes and association with pyrethrum knockdown time in populations of Californian Aedes aegypti. Parasites & Vectors. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04627-3
López-Pérez AM, Chaves A, Sánchez-Montes S, Foley P, Uhart M, Foley J et al. Diversity of rickettsiae in domestic, synanthropic, and sylvatic mammals and their ectoparasites in a spotted fever-epidemic region at the western US-Mexico border. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.14027
Holcomb KM, Reiner RC, Barker CM. Spatio-temporal impacts of aerial adulticide applications on populations of West Nile virus vector mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04616-6
Onyango MG, Attardo GM, Kelly ET, Bialosuknia SM, Stout J, Banker E et al. Corrigendum: Zika Virus Infection Results in Biochemical Changes Associated With RNA Editing, Inflammatory and Antiviral Responses in Aedes albopictus. Front Microbiol. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.642886
Main BJ, Marcantonio M, Johnston S, Rasgon JL, Brown CT, Barker CM. Whole-genome assembly of Culex tarsalis. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkaa063
Qiu J, Wheeler SS, Reed M, Goodman GW, Sy ND, Gan J et al. When vector control and organic farming intersect: Pesticide residues on rice plants from aerial mosquito sprays. Sci Total Environ. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144708
Lopéz‐Perez AM, Plourde B, Smith K, Rubino F, Pascoe E, Foley J et al. Impacts of timber harvest on communities of small mammals, ticks, and tick-borne pathogens in a high-risk landscape in northern California. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa297
Interested in viewing more articles from PacVec researchers?
From 2009 to 2018, California reported more human disease cases due to West Nile virus than any other state in the United States. A new study published by a team of collaborators at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) sought to examine patterns of WNV disease at a finer geographic scale to identify areas with disproportionately high disease burden. Eleven areas, consisting of groups of high-burden ZIP codes, were identified in nine counties in southern California and California's Central Valley. These areas represent only 2% of California's land area and 17% of the state's population, but they accounted for 44% of reported WNV cases and had a mean annual disease incidence that was 2.4 times the statewide rate. The identified areas represent key locations where enhanced mosquito control and public education efforts could lower WNV disease burden 
The invasive mosquito species, Aedes aegypti has been found for the first time this year in the city of Stockton, California, according to 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking Ixodes spp. ticks to expand their reference collection to support morphological identification and for the development of new molecular assays to identify ticks to species. If you have any additional ethanol-preserved ticks available that you’d be willing to send (shipping address is given below), CDC would love to receive up to 30 per species and life stage per submitter. Ideally, these would be accompanied with information on when the tick was collected and from which county.
The Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Disease (CREID) is hosting a virtual seminar series every second Tuesday of the month starting January 2021. Register in advance for this webinar series!
Organized by: 
TDR has supported the development of a Global Atlas of Medical Entomology Schooling (GAMES), which lists a total of 126 medical entomology courses offered both on-campus and through distance learning in 32 countries across all WHO regions, covering seven languages. The freely available directory was developed in collaboration with the GVH and ARCTEC at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), following the mapping of courses available globally. WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the WHO Global Malaria Programme have also reviewed the directory and provided recommendations. For each course, session dates, course outline, fees, language of instruction and responsible managers are listed. 
Please contact us anytime if your agency has seasonal positions that may be of interest to undergraduate students in the Pacific Southwest region. Such positions are important formative experiences for students, and they are excellent opportunities to raise awareness of career opportunities in vector-borne diseases. These can be simple job postings that we will advertise to our undergraduates or we can help you partner with faculty for project-based internships that involve academic credit with a faculty mentor and possible continued data analysis during the school year. If you are interested, please send us a note at 
