A5112014861- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Malaria Research and Control
- Dengue and Mosquito Control Research
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Genetically Modified Organisms Research
- Chromium effects and bioremediation
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
University of Arizona
2014-2025
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2023
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
2016
University of Colorado Boulder
2016
Research Applications (United States)
2016
Institute of Entomology
2015
Arizona Science Center
2011
Brigham and Women's Hospital
2010
University of California, Berkeley
1999-2004
Environmental Protection Agency
1999-2003
This review examines the potential for γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) to be transformed into other isomers of HCH. HCH residues are among most widely distributed and frequently detected organochlorine contaminants in environment. The environmental human health risks associated with these have prompted Canada, United States, Mexico consider development a North American Regional Action Plan (NARAP) assess mitigate pollution. More information on propensity γ-HCH transform is essential an...
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of effective communication to build and strengthen public trust in field health. To address this need, we conducted virtual qualitative message testing via focus groups individual in-depth interviews with a demographically psychographically diverse mix 100 English-speaking U.S. adults March April 2024. Following best practices health literacy plain language, developed tested 20 primary messages that focused on core values activities....
Abstract Understanding drivers of disease vectors’ population dynamics is a pressing challenge. For short-lived organisms like mosquitoes, landscape-scale models must account for their highly local and rapid life cycles. Aedes aegypti , vector multiple emerging diseases, has become abundant in desert centers where water from precipitation could be limiting factor. To explain this apparent paradox, we examined Ae. abundances at > 660 trapping locations per year 3 years the urbanized...
Aedes aegypti has reappeared in urban communities the southwestern USA 1990s after a 40-year absence. In 2003 and 2004, systematic survey was conducted throughout metropolitan Tucson, AZ, to identify human environmental factors associated with Ae. distribution within an arid area. presence abundance were measured monthly using Centers for Disease Control Prevention enhanced oviposition traps at sampling sites established grid 3- 4-km intervals across city. Sampling occurred summer rainy...
Aedes aegypti (L.; Diptera: Culicidae) has been established in the southwestern United States for several decades, but relationships between humans and mosquitoes this arid region are not well-characterized. In August 2012, outdoor premises of 355 houses within 20 neighborhoods Tucson, Arizona were surveyed containers that could provide larval habitat Ae. mosquitoes. At same time, a knowledge, attitudes practices (KAP) questionnaire was administered to resident each house immature The KAP...
Background: Surveillance is important in addressing the significant public health concerns posed by tick-borne diseases. However, southwestern U.S. presents particular challenges due to diverse tick fauna and varied ecologies. Methods: From 2021 2022, we conducted a partner-based surveillance program Arizona California assess presence of Rickettsia spp. pathogens species composition vectors. Results: A total 913 ticks was collected, comprising descending abundance Rhipicephalus sanguineus,...
Abstract Aedes aegypti (L.), the primary mosquito vector of arboviruses such as dengue and Zika, has a global distribution that includes southern United States. Control this peridomestic is challenging. Ultra-low volume (ULV) pyrethroid sprays are commonly used against adult mosquitoes to break transmission during disease outbreak, although efficacy data limited. This study examined impacts ULV on Ae. vectorial capacity measured by abundance age structure in two cities Maricopa County, AZ...
Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue virus, is well established throughout urban areas Southwestern US, including Tucson, AZ. Local transmission however, has not been reported in this area. Although many factors influence distribution we hypothesize that one contributing factor lifespan female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes US too short for virus to complete development and be transmitted a new host. To test utilized two age grading techniques. First, determined parity by analyzing ovarian...
Dengue virus, primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquito, has rapidly expanded in geographic extent over past several decades. In some areas, however, dengue fever not emerged despite established Ae. populations. The reasons for this are unclear and have sometimes been attributed to socio-economic differences. 2013 we compared adult density population age structure between two cities Sonora, Mexico: Hermosillo, which regular seasonal virus transmission, Nogales, minimal...
After a dengue outbreak in Key West, Florida, during 2009-2010, authorities, considered conducting the first US release of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes genetically modified to prevent reproduction. Despite outreach and media attention, only half community was aware proposal; those were supportive. Novel public health strategies require engagement.
Vector surveillance is an essential component of vector-borne disease prevention, but many communities lack resources to support extensive surveillance. The Great Arizona Mosquito Hunt (GAMH) was a collaborative citizen science project conducted during 2015-17 enhance for Aedes aegypti in Arizona. Citizen projects engage the public scientific research order further knowledge while improving community understanding specific field and process. Participating schools youth organizations across...
Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Latreille, 1806), the brown dog tick, is most widely distributed tick species in world. The two dominant lineages, a temperate group and tropical group, are recognized as important disease vectors for both dogs humans. lineages overlap range some regions of world, including southwestern United States, where recent outbreaks Rocky Mountain spotted fever linked to R. While it unclear what extent they may differ their capacity transmit pathogens, finer-scale...
Dengue is an acute febrile illness caused by any of four dengue virus types (DENV-1-4). DENVs are transmitted mosquitos the genus Aedes (1) and endemic throughout tropics (2). In 2010, estimated 390 million DENV infections occurred worldwide During 2007-2013, a total three to 10 cases were reported annually in Arizona all travel-associated. September-December 2014, coincident with outbreak Sonora, Mexico, 93 travel-associated residents; 70 (75%) among residents Yuma County, which borders San...
As the range of dengue virus (DENV) transmission expands, an understanding community uptake prevention and control strategies is needed both in geographic areas where has recently been circulating with potential for DENV introduction. Personal protective behaviors such as use mosquito repellent to limit human-vector contact reduction vector density through elimination oviposition sites are primary methods Aedes aegypti, main DENV. Here, we examined personal measures taken by individuals Key...
Vertical transmission, or pathogen transfer from female to offspring, can facilitate the persistence of emerging arboviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), through periods low horizontal transmission adverse environmental conditions. We aimed at determining rate vertical for ZIKV in its principal vector, Aedes aegypti, and vector competence vertically infected progeny. aegypti females that consumed a blood meal provisioned with were maintained under three temperature conditions (27°C, 30°C,...
Abstract The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector of dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Infection with dengue virus alone occurs in an estimated 400 million people each year. Likelihood infection a transmitted by Ae. most commonly attributed to abundance mosquito. However, Arizona-Sonora desert region has abundant urban areas, yet local transmission these arboviruses not been reported many cities. Previous work examined role differential longevity as potential...
Given that older Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes typically pose the greatest risk of pathogen transmission, capacity to age grade wild Ae. mosquito populations would be a valuable tool in monitoring potential arboviral transmission. Here, we compared effectiveness near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) field-collected with two alternative techniques-parity analysis and transcript abundance age-associated gene SCP1. Using lab-reared known ages from three distinct maintained as adults under...
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, American College Health Association (ACHA) has partnered with CommunicateHealth (CH) to develop mitigation resources for colleges and universities. In 2021, CH team conducted a series of applied research activities gain nuanced understanding factors that shape perceptions risk drive vaccine hesitancy among campus audiences-especially college students who are emerging adults (approximately ages 18 22). Based on our findings, ACHA identified key traits...
Microbial Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides have been used for over 40 years. In the United States, Bt formulations are primarily applied to control lepidopteran pests on fruit and vegetable crops, gypsy moth in forests dipteran (mosquitoes blackflies) that bite humans. A highly selective insecticide with activity conferred by insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs), is generally not harmful humans, non-target wildlife or beneficial arthropods. Its selectivity unique mode of action make...
Two species of leafrollers, Argyrotaenia citrana (Fernald) and Pandemis pyrusana Kearfott, represent serious obstacles to the implementation mating disruption for control codling moth in coastal California apple orchards. Larval adult densities A. P. subsequent fruit damage were compared under different treatments. Leafroller larval counts levels significantly higher most plots that untreated or treated only with pheromone. these commonly between 10 15% at harvest. As summer good predictors...
Mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue are growing threats to the United States. Proactive mosquito control is one strategy reduce risk of disease transmission. In 2012, we measured public's willingness pay (WTP) for increased in two cities: Key West, FL, where there have been recent outbreaks, Tucson, AZ, vectors established WNV has circulating over a decade. Nearly three quarters respondents both cities (74% Tucson 73% West) would be willing $25 or more annually...