Monitoring Pesticide Resistance in Mosquitos of Public Health Importance

The CCE summer intern will work with us to gather and process mosquito samples for the Pesticide Resistance Monitoring Program, operated through the Cornell Department of Entomology and Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. The goal of this program is to monitor the resistance of mosquito populations of public health importance in New York and the greater Northeast region to commonly used pesticides. There are two major outcomes of this work. First, our program will provide an updated assessment of resistance in mosquito populations in New York and the Northeast that can inform how vector control organizations conduct future mosquito control efforts in their local area. This information can also inform public outreach on mosquito bite prevention in communities affected by pesticide resistance. Second, this program will provide technical assistance to vector control programs throughout the region on the collection, processing, and testing of mosquitoes.

Roles and responsibilities 

The intern will contribute to several aspects of this project, including field collection of mosquitoes from targeted communities in New York State, processing mosquito samples submitted for testing, and conducting bioassays to evaluate resistance status. The student will accompany project staff on trips to specific habitats and communities in New York with suspected resistance to collect mosquito samples and will receive instruction on field safety methods. A large portion of this sampling will be targeted to Rockland County, NY, in partnership with the Rockland County Health Department and Rockland CCE. The student will also have the opportunity to contribute to outreach events hosted by the Rockland CCE, providing information on mosquito bite prevention. The student will have the opportunity to learn how to identify mosquitoes to species, rear mosquitoes in our insectary, conduct a standardized bioassay, and communicate to professional stakeholders and community members in our region.

Qualifications and previous coursework

This opportunity is available to non-graduating students in Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Students should have an interest in the sciences, education and outreach reflected in some prior coursework in these areas. They must be willing to work outdoors in the summer, sometimes in inclement weather. Interest in learning laboratory methods. Students should have excellent communication skills. 

Learning outcomes 

Students should have an interest in the sciences, education and outreach reflected in some prior coursework in these areas. They must be willing to work outdoors in the summer, sometimes in inclement weather. Interest in learning laboratory methods. Students should have excellent communication skills.