D3305: Advancing education and research in medical entomology: Insights from a survey of life sciences departments

This presentation provides a comprehensive analysis of survey results aimed at understanding the landscape of education and research in medical entomology across various life sciences departments in the rocky mountains high plains region of the U.S. The survey was administered by the Rockies and High Plains Vector-borne Disease Center (RaHP VEC), and garnered responses from a diverse range of participants. Notably, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico emerged as key geographic regions with active engagement in medical entomology, showcasing varying levels of participation across graduate and undergraduate programs. Departments spanning Biology, Animal Sciences, Entomology, Public Health, Molecular Biology, and Immunology indicated an interest in offering courses related to parasitology, vector identification, and medical entomology, with approximately 30% planning to introduce new courses. Furthermore, half of the respondents expressed intentions to expand their research endeavors in medical entomology, highlighting a growing interest in this field. Importantly, the survey revealed a strong demand for training and access to resources for developing specialized courses, with 80% of participants expressing interest in receiving such support, particularly through platforms like RaHP VEC. These findings underscore the significance of fostering collaboration and providing targeted resources to enhance education and research initiatives in medical entomology, ultimately advancing our understanding and mitigation strategies for vector-borne diseases.