Undergraduate Research Internship

in Vector Biology

Work this summer at a county mosquito control agency (pay rate varies with county) and earn 3 credits of undergraduate research.

Contact Carol Rutgers at 732-932-3000, ext. 523 for information about this class.

The class is optional and county agencies that are interested will hiring regardless of whether you sign up for the class or not.

 Mosquito control agencies conduct surveillance of mosquitoes and the viruses (e.g., West Nile virus) that they transmit.  Agencies also conduct research to improve surveillance and to answer questions about the ecology of particular species.  Interns will have opportunities for research experience guided by county mosquito control personnel possessing advanced degrees.  The research is intended to help answer questions about mosquitoes, disease and surveillance.  Interns will also gain broad experience and perspective in mosquito control agency overall activities.  

Deadlines

Action

 Class Registration begins on 26 Feb.
  1. Contact the County (below) you wish to work in for an interview. Let the agency know that you are an applicant for the Rutgers Research Internship.
  1. Be accepted by the county.

Regular registration ends on 20 April.

Late Registration begins on 19 May

Last day to register is 25 May.
  1. Successful candidates contact Prof. Randy Gaugler of the Center of Vector Biology (732-932-9341) for an overview of course expectations.
  2. Sign up online at http://webreg.rutgers.edu for 3 credits (TBA).  The student is responsible for paying for summer credits.

 Submit paper to Prof. Gaugler by 13 Aug.
  1. Submit a 3-4 page paper on your work experience and how it relates to mosquito biology and control to Prof. Gaugler for a grade assignment.  Presentation of a poster at the annual New Jersey Mosquito Control Association meeting the following spring is encouraged but not required.

PARTICIPATING COUNTIES

(Limited to one student per county)

  • Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control – 609-645-5948 (Bill Reinert, Superintendent): Mosquito control depends on a sound understanding of population levels. Learn basic mosquito population surveillance techniques by using various trapping strategies.

  • Cape May Department of Mosquito Control – 609-465-9038 (Peter Bosak, Head): Mosquitoes and birds interact to form a source of virus that can threaten human or horse health.  Learn mosquito and bird surveillance techniques to monitor virus threat. 

  • Mercer County Division of Mosquito Control - 609-530-7501 (Ary Farajollahi, Biologist): Mosquitoes use a variety of habitats, both common and unusual, to lay their eggs. Conduct a countywide survey for invasive species such as the Asian Tiger Mosquito, an aggressive biter.  Look for larval habitats in manmade containers, such as tires.

  • Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission – 732-542-3630 (Doug Guthrie, Superintendent): Learn how to collect ticks as part a part of the surveillance program for Lyme disease and as well as the PCR techniques used in detecting Borrelia in ticks.

  • Morris County Mosquito Extermination Commission – 973-538-3200 (Marc Slaff, Superintendent): Follow host preferences of a significant West Nile vector, Culex pipiens. Learn to find, catch and identify Cx. pipiens, and then find out who they drink blood from. Alternatively, investigate the biology of specific floodwater mosquitoes.

  • Ocean County Mosquito Extermination Commission – 609-698-8271 (Tom Candeletti, Superintendent): Mosquito control depends on a sound understanding of population levels. Learn basic mosquito population surveillance techniques by using various trapping strategies.

  • Sussex County Division of Mosquito Control – 973-948-4545 (Jenn Gruener, Head Inspector): Learn about the surveillance of mosquito populations through different trapping techniques and how this information is used in the management of mosquitoes.

  • Warren County Mosquito Extermination Commission – 973-453-3585 (Christine Musa, Superintendent):  Aedes trivittatus is a mosquito that can deliver an annoying bite and readily does so during daytime hours. This mosquito periodically appears in huge numbers as adults and is a problem to control. Help us determine the major source of this mosquito while learning valuable collections techniques.