D3309: Enhancing academic training in vector-borne diseases for undergraduate and graduate students in the Rockies and High Plains Region

Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases continue to emerge and re-emerge, threatening human and animal health. Academic training programs in vector biology and vector-borne diseases are essential to strengthen the workforce of prepared vector-borne disease (VBD) professionals, yet rigorous interdisciplinary training programs are uncommon. To meet this educational and training need, the Rockies and High Plains Vector-borne Disease Training and Evaluation Center (RaHP VEC) is developing transcripted certificate programs at both Colorado State University and Texas Tech University. These comprehensive certificate programs in VBD aim to provide undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral trainees with a solid foundation in vector biology and VBD, with opportunities to obtain cross-disciplinary training in operational and infectious disease-focused courses. Students exiting the program will have the foundational knowledge of VBD epidemiology and will provide a bridge between academia, public health, and vector control agencies for recruitment to the workforce. Once established, we envision a broader roll-out of these programs to other academic institutions and offer online opportunities for continuing education credits and/or a professional certificate based on an ongoing region-wide needs assessment. Our overarching goal is to train future leaders in academic, county, state, and federal positions in the biology, surveillance, and control of vectors and VBD.