Vector Biology Boot Camp
The Vector Biology Boot Camp is offered by the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases to provide hands-on learning opportunities in vector surveillance program operations.
The program is designed for vector-borne disease professionals working in the Northeast, covering tick and mosquito species of medical importance to this region. Ideal program applicants include professionals whose job duties specifically involve vector surveillance and/or control.
Current Program Offerings (2024)
We will be hosting this year’s hands-on training event in partnership with the MaineHealth Lyme & Vector-Borne Disease Lab in May 2024.
- When: Tuesday May 21 to Thursday May 23, 2024
- Where: 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, Maine 04074
- Cost: Attendance to this event is no-cost. Participant housing and meals are included. Attendees are responsible for travel to and from the training site. Travel assistance may be available on an individual basis.
- Agenda: The final agenda for the 2024 Vector Biology Boot Camp will be available shortly. You can access a general overview of the modules included in this training event in the 2024 Vector Biology Boot Camp Flyer.
How to Apply
The application window for the 2024 Vector Biology Boot Camp closed on Friday March 8, 2024.
Program Highlights
Hands-On Training:
Attendees gain hands-on experience in the latest methods for field collection and identification of medically important ticks and mosquitoes in the Northeast region of the US.
Expert Instruction:
Vector Biology Boot Camp instructors have over 500 years of cumulative experience in the fields of mosquito and tick surveillance, identification, and control.
Networking:
Attendees have multiple opportunities to engage with colleagues and counterparts from across the region, as well as interact with our team of vector-borne disease expert instructors.
Program Essentials:
The Vector Biology Boot Camp curriculum covers the essentials of maintaining a vector surveillance program, including methods for data collection, equipment considerations, and best practices for communicating with the media and the public.
Program Impact
The Vector Biology Boot Camp Workplace Impact Assessment was published in summer of 2020. This brief report provides a summary of how program attendance has influenced workplace operations for attendees to the 2018 and 2019 Vector Biology Boot Camps.
Online Lecture Series Recordings
You can access recorded presentations from the 2021 Virtual Vector Biology Boot Camp available through the Cornell Video on Demand service. Simply complete the user registration form below to gain access to these recordings.
Vector Biology Boot Camp Recording Access Form
The 2021 Virtual Vector Biology Boot Camp covered the following topics:
- Arthropod Biology & Behavior / Major Regional and Emering Diseases
- Mosquito and Tick Collection & Processing Methods
- Data Management & Analysis, Mapping, and Advanced Spatial Statistics
- Taxonomy of Mosquitoes and Ticks
- Vector Control for Mosquitoes and Ticks
- Public Health Communication
- Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostics
- Pesticide Resistance Monitoring and Mosquito Colony Maintenance
- Monitoring for Metastriate and Ixodes ticks
- Regional Networking Opportunity
Meet Our Instructors
Instructor directories for each year of the Vector Biology Boot Camp program are available here.
2024 Vector Biology Boot Camp Instructors
2023 Vector Biology Boot Camp Instructors
2021 Virtual Vector Biology Boot Camp Instructors
2020 Virtual Vector Biology Boot Camp Instructors
"As someone brand new to the field, NEVBD was the perfect introduction to enhance my career. I was able to meet new colleagues and gain the confidence I needed to succeed in the mosquito world. Thank you so much for this unforgettable experience!"
"The Vector Biology Boot Camp was fantastic. I came in with a very general knowledge on mosquitoes, ticks, and their pathogens, but after this course, I feel like I learned so much."
"Even with 18 years of experience in mosquito control operations, this boot camp provided an opportunity to learn more, refresh the basics, and energized me to dive deep into assuring our program was meeting expectations in the area of public education."
