UA Little Rock Biology Professor Receives $35,000 to help City of Little Rock with Mosquito Surveillance

Dr. Carl Stapleton, an Associate Professor of Biology and the Director of BS in Environmental Health Sciences Program at UA Little Rock, has received $35,000 to assist the City of Little Rock with its mosquito surveillance system for the 2017 mosquito season.  Dr. Stapleton will provide recommendations for mosquito trap locations, collect and identify mosquito species, collect samples from mosquito breeding areas, compile and analyze data, screen selected mosquito specimens for the presence of the West Nile Virus, and conduct educational tasks.

Dr. Stapleton will involve students in the program, which will allow them to gain hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing mosquito surveillance data. The surveillance team will use GPS coordinates, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, general weather conditions, and select water quality measures as part of data collection protocols.

A key focus of program activities is directed toward educational opportunities to help Little Rock citizens become more aware of mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito breeding practices, and preventative measures that can be taken to prevent these diseases.  UA Little Rock will provide pamphlets, contact homeowners who have requested spray services, and conduct mosquito breeding habitat surveys.

Dr. Stapleton has over 40 years of experience as an environmental professional. This will be the 15th year that UA Little Rock has worked with the City of Little Rock on this project.

Posted in: Award, News
Read more about: , , , , ,

Comments are closed.