Academic Opportunities for Students

The ecology and epidemiology of La Crosse encephalitis in western North Carolina offers many opportunities for serious undergraduate and graduate level research projects while often providing a service to citizens in our local communities.

Undergraduate research is conducted through a collaborative investigative model where the student has shared ownership and responsibility. In most instances, serious undergraduate projects require at least a one year (two semesters minimum) or a summer commitment. Undergraduate students have presented their research findings at local, regional, and national conferences. For more information about current research opportunities, please contact Dr. Brian Byrd.

Recent Examples of Presentations (Oral or Poster) at National Discipline Related Conferences

*Mentored Undergraduate or Graduate Student

Byrd BD, Tamini T*, White L*, Goggins JA*, Sither CB*, Wasserberg G. La Crosse Encephalitis Risk in Western North Carolina. Invited Presentation: Risk Assessment for Vector-borne Diseases Symposium. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Feb. 2012

Harrison BA, Sither CB*, Bintz B, Hickman E, Brown J, Hopkins V*, Wilson M, Harrison B, and Byrd BD. Molecular and Morphological Identification of Aedes atlanticus and Aedes tormentor. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Feb. 2012

Byrd BD, Kunze SG*, Sither CB*, Goggins JA*, O’Meara G. Thermal Conditions Influence the Relative Abundance of Aedes atropalpus and Aedes japonicus in the Southern Appalachians. Invited Presentation: Invasion Biology of Aedes japonicus Symposium. Society for Vector Ecology Annual Meeting, Flagstaff AZ, September 2011.

Tamini T*, Byrd BD, White L*, Wasserberg G. Landscape Ecology of La Crosse Encephalitis in Western North Carolina I: Does Anthropogenic Disturbance Affect Ecological Transmission Drivers? Society for Vector Ecology Annual Meeting, Flagstaff AZ, September 2011.

Schwarz M*, Byrd BD, Wasserberg G. Landscape Ecology of La Crosse Encephalitis in Western North Carolina II: The effects of a forest to field ecotone on the distribution and abundance of potential LACV Vectors . Society for Vector Ecology Annual Meeting, Flagstaff AZ, September 2011.

Byrd BD, White L*, Sither CB*, Goggins JA*, Harrison BA, Wasserberg G. Comparison of Four Traps to Sample Ae. triseratus, Ae. albopictus and Ae. j. japonicus in a La Crosse Virus Endemic Area . American Mosquito Control Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, March 2011.

Kunze SE*, Sither CB*, Goggins JA*, Byrd BD, Bustamante D, Pesko K, O’Meara G. Impact of Thermal Conditions on the Relative Abundance of Aedes atropalpus and Ae. japonicus in the Southern Appalachians . The Society for Vector Ecology Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC, September 2010.