289 - Building the Next Generation of Vector Professionals: An Interagency Training Model for STEM Students

Abstract: Developing a skilled and diverse workforce in public health entomology is increasingly critical as vector-borne disease threats rise and experienced professionals approach retirement. While Environmental Health Science (EHS) programs provide foundational academic knowledge, many STEM students lack the applied laboratory and field experience sought by vector control agencies. To address this gap, California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) launched a multi-agency training initiative supported by the Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (PacVec).

The Summer Vector Training 2025 represented the second consecutive year of this intensive three-week program, following the success of the 2023 pilot. The training integrated classroom instruction, laboratory work, and field visits to the Northwest and West Valley Mosquito & Vector Control Districts and the University of California, Riverside. Participants, undergraduate and community college students from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, received full support, including meals, parking, and a completion stipend.

Compared with the 2023 cohort, the 2025 program expanded its scope beyond mosquitoes to include all major vectors such as fleas, flies, lice, ticks, and Reduviid bugs. It also strengthened community-college outreach and incorporated small student-led research projects. Participants gained practical experience in mosquito rearing, taxonomy, surveillance, and control while exploring broader aspects of vector biology and management.

These interagency collaborations enhanced student engagement, confidence, and professional readiness while reinforcing partnerships between academic institutions and operational vector programs. Post-training surveys revealed significant knowledge gains and increased student interest in pursuing studies and careers in environmental health and entomology. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable annual training platform that promotes workforce renewal, diversity, and academic advancement in the field of vector-borne diseases.