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STEPHANIE ZAPATA DISCUSSES THE BENEFITS OF THE AMCA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM

Stephanie Zapata

Stephanie Zapata is a Ph. D. Candidate in Entomology at Rutgers University who recently attended her first AMCA Young Professionals meeting during the annual meeting in Portland. Stephanie had the opportunity to shadow with Central Life Sciences and spoke with us about her experience.

  • You recently joined the Young Professionals program after being introduced to it through a friend. How has your experience been thus far, and how was your experience shadowing Central Life Sciences during AMCA?

    The Young Professionals group is fantastic. They are so involved and very organized and have so many events for the young professionals to attend. The opportunity to network in such a welcoming environment was incredibly helpful. It was great learning more about Central Life Sciences and getting the opportunity to connect with, and learn from, their experts. As a PhD student in strictly academia, it was really nice to see what different career options exist in this field.

  • What’s one thing you’ve learned since joining the Young Professionals program that you’re already implementing?

    Keeping my LinkedIn updated and using it to keep conversations going has been a big eye opener for me. Whenever you meet someone, it is highly likely that they will eventually Google you. Your LinkedIn is often the first thing that pops up. Prior to attending these meetings, and networking with so many people, I didn't realize the importance of updating your LinkedIn and showcasing all that you have done and accomplished. Additionally, I enjoyed learning about different career journeys and the obstacles that come along the way. Everyone comes from different walks of life, and there is no straight path to the final destination.

  • How has the program influenced the way you think about your role and the future of vector control?

    It’s important to be able to teach other people about the importance of vector control. In today's day and age, when there's so much misinformation out in the world, I'm viewing my role as being not just a scientist but also as a communicator of science to different audiences. And being in the program has given me the chance to gain so many unique perspectives on how to communicate science.

  • What would you say to someone who is considering joining the Young Professionals program?

    The Young Professionals program is an important networking opportunity. Attending conferences has given me the opportunity to become more well known among my colleagues and build important connections. Being part of this program will help you see the bigger picture, which is collaborating with fellow professionals and sharing our knowledge with our communities.

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Integrated Pest Management
Overview: Part 5

Communicating the Public Health Roles and Challenges of Integrated Mosquito Management in the United States

Mosquito control in the United States is more than a seasonal nuisance response. It is a critical public health service. Across the country, local mosquito control districts work year-round to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern Equine encephalitis, Dengue virus, and Zika.

Read more in part 5.


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West Central Region

Loren Cunnington

Loren Cunnington gives the lay of the land as mosquito season ramps up in the West Central region. He also provides an update on the latest product trends he’s seeing, as well as a progress report on a new research study.

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Jeromy Baumbach

In his Mid-Central region update, Jeromy Baumbach discusses how mosquito abatement districts are adapting the ways they partner with health officials and communicate with the public.

GIS in Mosquito Control Operations: Interview with Olivia Konieczny

Today’s Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) programs continuously strive to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by using the latest technological advancements. One of the best tools for achieving these goals is Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The computer-based mapping, data management and geo-spatial analysis that GIS systems provide are invaluable to mosquito control districts. In this edition of Vector Vision, we share insights from a specialist who uses GIS daily to help manage mosquito control operations in South Florida.

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