Request for Information (RFI): 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].
Impact of deltamethrin-resistance in Aedes albopictus on its fitness cost and vector competence
Aedes albopictus is one of the most invasive species in the world as well as the important vector for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Chemical control of mosquitoes is an effective method to control mosquito-borne diseases, but the improper application of insecticides for vector control has led to serious resistance problems. At present, there have been many reports on resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in vector mosquitoes including resistance to deltamethrin in Aedes albopictus. The overall fitness and vector competence of deltamethrin-resistant Aedes albopictus is not well-understood. The linked article by a research team including past PacVec training grant recipient and professor of public health at UC Irvine, Dr. Guiyun Yan, describes the establishment of a resistant laboratory strain of Aedes albopictus by selection following repeated exposure to deltamethrin. Comparing the resistant strain with the susceptible strain, they found that deltamethrin resistance decreased fitness by multiple metrics and reduced the vector competence for DENV-2 in Aedes albopictus.[full article].
Protect yourself from Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases
You can help protect yourself from Lyme disease by protecting yourself from tick bites. Follow these steps to help prevent tick bites:
Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered repellent to keep ticks off your skin and clothing. Use tick repellent with at least 20% DEET as an active ingredient, which is safe when used as directed and is proven to prevent tick bites.
Wear clothing treated with 0.5% permethrin, which is an active ingredient designed to kill ticks. (Permethrin should never be applied to skin.)
While walking outside in areas where ticks live, stay in the middle of trails, and avoid grassy areas, leaf litter, contact with rocks, logs, tree trunks, and fallen branches or tree limbs in forests. Ticks are often hiding in these areas, waiting to bite and feed on an animal or person.
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
Survey on Mosquito Control Action Thresholds
The Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County, Florida, is collaborating with the Department of Defense Deployed Warfighter Program (DWFP) to better understand action thresholds which are used to make operational control decisions for mitigating nuisance and vector mosquitoes. The overarching goal will be to identify key thresholds used by mosquito control and preventive medicine units to understand the minimum criteria needed to develop evidence-based action thresholds for mosquito control where troops are deployed. Anastasia Mosquito Control asks for your valuable input on this subject by completing a short preliminary survey on behalf of your control program. If you have any questions about this survey or research, please feel free to contact project PI Whitney Qualls at wqualls@amcdfl.org.
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 May 25th, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM PDT!
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]
Vector-Borne Disease Centers of Excellence 5-Part Seminar Series
We are excited to announce this 5-part seminar series hosted by the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases! Seminars will be held the last Thursday of each month, highlighting applied research projects completed through our programs across the US. The next and last session of this series is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2021, "A Bug's Life: Vector Behavior & Trends."
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 June 8th, 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!
Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) Initiative
Graduate Students and Postdocs in Entomology: Are you looking for tools and training to make yourself stand out as you look for the next step in your career? ESA’s new Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) Initiative will help you develop the leadership capacity and “soft skills” sought after in today’s highly collaborative work environments—both within and beyond academia.Join us in 2021 for a six-month program that will guide you in identifying your current areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Each month of the program will focus on a unique theme in leadership and soft-skill development. Deadline for application submission is May 23, 2021.
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 June 2021.
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
Annual Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases six-day course
The Center for Health in the Human Ecosystem is hosting the third annual Biology of Vector-borne Diseases six-day course. This six-day course, offered through the University of Idaho, is both lecture- and discussion-based and is delivered by internationally recognized experts, with integrated case studies of emerging vector-borne pathogens. The course registration fee includes housing, meals, course materials and social activities. Registration will be due following acceptance into the course.
When: Sunday through Friday, June 20-25, 2021 Registration fee: $1,500 USD
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/resources/.
Larval Mosquito Resistance Testing Videos:
Need bottle bioassay testing?
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.
Current situation with PacVec resistance testing
The Kearney Center has transitioned to remote work as a precaution due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This means any requested insecticide resistance testing or workshops will need to wait until normal activities resume. Dr. Anton Cornel and Katherine Brisco will still be available to offer resistance testing support and guidance at this time through email (bioassays@pacvec.us) or teleconferencing.
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.
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.
Two postdoctoral positions are available for highly motivated individuals to study mosquito – pathogen - host interactions using state-of-the-art approaches, combining infection assays,genetics, interaction and field studies. The postdoctoral scientists 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 enquires and applications (letter of personal and academic goals, CV, and contact information for two references) to Nikos Vasilakis (nivasila@utmb.edu).
The University of Texas Medical Branch is seeking to fill the position, Research Associate I. This position will perform varying standardized laboratory assignments and experiments. Minimum qualifications are: Bachelor's degree in basic science or equivalent; no experience required. Experience in cellular immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture and sterile technique preferred.
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. 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)
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 positions below are excellent summer opportunities for interested students. The vector control assistant position will involve a combination of field research and data analysis. The social media internship will involve developing and creating engaging and creative social media and digital media content. The start and end dates are flexible, and the specific job duties will be determined in consultation with the applicant based on skills and common interests with the District.
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 Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease is pleased to offer paid research fellowships to students and emerging professionals interested in the field of vector-borne disease during summer 2021. For approximately twelve weeks during the summer, MCE-VBD fellows will work directly on projects at partner institutions located across five Midwestern states, conducting research and/or surveillance related to tick and mosquito-borne disease under the supervision of academic and public health experts. Applicants must be located in the Midwest. If you have questions about the fellowship, contact Danielle Smith, MCE-VBD Center Coordinator, at 608-265-4741 or dlsmith9@wisc.edu.
Maricopa County invites applications for the position, Vector Control Lab Supervisor. In this role, you will supervise a fast-paced vector-borne disease laboratory. You and your team will identify and test mosquitoes, with gold-standard PCR equipment, for the presence of vector-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. This vital work is done to help the division reduce the citizens of Maricopa County's exposure to vector-borne diseases. You will also have the opportunity to work with local and national universities and other government agencies to advance the vector control knowledge base.
Salary: $26.95 - $37.05 per hour Location: Phoenix, AZ Application due: 5/17/2021 at 11:59 PM
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.
Location: Hanford, CA Application due: 5/21/21 at 2:30 PM
The Department of Health and Human Services in Washington County, Oregon is seeking an innovative and experienced leader to manage the Public Health Division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, you will apply a visionary mindset backed by the leadership skills to manage and successfully operate a complex division. You will also utilize your extensive knowledge and experience working with public health to develop program strategies and goals. Additionally, you will be an advocate for the Public Health division, while also supporting the priorities and strategic initiatives of the larger HHS department. This position serves on the leadership team for HHS and helps focus and implement the department's overall strategic plan.
Salary: $120,079.08 - $145,912.08 per year Location: Hillsboro, OR
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
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
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District is seeking applications to fill this position. The Communications Specialist will serve under the general direction of the Director of Communications; assists other managerial staff as well as the Public Information Officer and the Executive Assistant/Clerk of the Board by relieving them of various administrative and clerical duties; to perform website maintenance, graphic design, provide secretarial assistance and to do other work as required.
Salary: $58,780.80 - $73,028.80 per year Location: Garden Grove, CA Application due: Open until filled
Under direction, performs a variety of highly responsible, complex administrative duties on behalf of the District Manager and Board of Trustees; administers and coordinates District agendas, minutes, and communications; manages official District records; and performs related work as required. The first review of applications will be May 17, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. This recruitment may close any time after the first review when a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Salary: $29.11 - $36.38 per hour Location: West Covina, CA
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 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
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
This job opportunity is being re-announced. Applicants who previously applied for this job do not need to re-apply; all applications will be considered.
The Fairfax County Health Department is the largest public health department in Virginia, serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds throughout Fairfax County, as well as the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and the towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to protecting, promoting and improving the health and quality of life for all in our community.
Salary: Hourly rate will not exceed the midpoint of $46.17 per hour Location: Fairfax, VA
Under direct supervision, the Vector Program Coordinator oversees day to day operations of the Mosquito Management Contract, coordinates and further develops the active tick surveillance program and for other vectors, completes assigned public health inspections, investigations and re-inspections in compliance with applicable program standards, state laws and rules, Board of Health policies and services in alignment with the agency’s adopted mission and vision, community needs, and federal, state, and local mandates.
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
The position of Mosquito Control Technician involves surveillance and control of mosquitoes on private and public lands within the District, with extended hours being worked in the mosquito season, which is compensated through time and one half-compensation time. Field work includes: inspecting aquatic sites such as ponds, ditches, flooded fields and wetlands to determine mosquito incidence; mixing, loading and applying pesticides; operating pesticide application equipment such as power sprayers, compressed hand sprayers, granule spreaders and ULV units; operating 4-wheel vehicles on various types of terrain and road conditions; seining and planting mosquito fish; participating in community education programs; performing daily record keeping and shop work.
Location: Tehama County, CA Application due: 04/30/2021 (approximate date of hire is 06/01/2021)
The Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida is seeking applications to fill two Assistant Professor positions. These are 9-month tenure-accruing positions that will be 90% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 10% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service, http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu). This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Duties will include research and extension focusing on the biology and control of vectors and vector-borne pathogens with emphasis on vector physiology, behavior, or management/surveillance. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology and Nematology Department UF-IFAS. All inquiries should be made by email to eva.buckner@ufl.edu.
Location: Vero Beach, FL Application due:05/01/2021 (these positions will remain open until a viable applicant pool is obtained)
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)
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
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)
NEW: 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/tjaa297Pascoe EL, Plourde BT, Lopéz‐Perez AM, Foley JE. Response of small mammal and tick communities to a catastrophic wildfire and implications for tick-borne pathogens. Journal of Vector Ecology. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvec.12398
Snyder RE, Feiszli T, Foss L, Messenger S, Fang Y, Barker CM et al. West Nile virus in California, 2003-2018: A persistent threat. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008841
Torres R, Hernandez E, Flores V, Ramirez JL, Joyce AL. Wolbachia in mosquitoes from the Central Valley of California, USA. Parasites & Vectors. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04429-z
Interested in viewing more articles from PacVec researchers?
After returning indoors from an area with ticks, 
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.
Survey on Mosquito Control Action Thresholds
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: 
Graduate Students and Postdocs in Entomology: Are you looking for tools and training to make yourself stand out as you look for the next step in your career? ESA’s new Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) Initiative will help you develop the leadership capacity and “soft skills” sought after in today’s highly collaborative work environments—both within and beyond academia.Join us in 2021 for a six-month program that will guide you in identifying your current areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Each month of the program will focus on a unique theme in leadership and soft-skill development. Deadline for application submission is May 23, 2021.
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. 
The Center for Health in the Human Ecosystem is hosting the third annual Biology of Vector-borne Diseases six-day course. This six-day course, offered through the University of Idaho, is both lecture- and discussion-based and is delivered by internationally recognized experts, with integrated case studies of emerging vector-borne pathogens. The course registration fee includes housing, meals, course materials and social activities. Registration will be due following acceptance into the course.
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 
