Enhancing undergraduate experiences in public-health entomology as a collaboration between universities and vector control partners

This presentation outlines a training program developed at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), aimed at introducing STEM students to the field of Public Health Entomology, with a focus on mosquito behavior, ecology, identification, and surveillance. The three-week program, conducted in collaboration with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD), provided a blend of theoretical and practical training sessions. The curriculum included morning lectures on mosquito biology, ecology, behavior and mosquito-borne diseases, followed by afternoon lab sessions, surveillance equipment, mosquito identification and hands-on experiments at CSUSB’s mosquito rearing facility. Participants also toured the CVMVCD, gaining exposure to real-world vector control techniques. The program’s goal was to inspire students from diverse academic backgrounds (Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Chemistry and Biological Sciences) to consider careers in Medical Entomology and Vector Biology. Pre- and post-training assessments demonstrated significant knowledge gains (from 51.5% to 77.2%). A post-training survey revealed high engagement and increased interest in pursuing education and careers in Public Health Entomology. Notably, several participants secured positions or advanced their studies in related fields post-training. Despite challenges such as limited preparation time and outreach constraints, the program successfully fostered collaboration between academia and vector control agencies, laying the foundation for future career pathways in vector control and public health entomology.