Aspiring entomologists earn hands-on experience at CDC, mosquito control districts
Annapolis, MD; July 12, 2023—The Entomological Society of America congratulates the 2023 class of interns and fellows selected for the Public Health Entomology for All program.
In partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ESA expanded the Public Health Entomology For All (PHEFA) program in 2023 to include two-year fellowships, more one-year fellowship and internships, and even an experience for high-school students. The goal of PHEFA is to encourage students and recent graduates interested in social justice and health equity to pursue entomology as a career and work toward a future in which all communities benefit from creative, inclusive, and equitable scientific processes and solutions.
The PHEFA interns and fellows are students or graduates of Minority Serving Institutions who have demonstrated a commitment to scientific inquiry and equity. Interns began their 10-week positions in June, while fellows serve for one or two years, beginning at various times this summer.
The following individuals were selected as 2023 PHEFA interns and fellows.
| Two-Year CDC Fellows | |
| Jacoby Clark received an M.S. in biology with a concentration in molecular and cellular biology/microbiology from San Francisco State University in 2022 and a B.S. in biological sciences from North Carolina State University in 2020. Jacoby completed a one-year PHEFA fellowship and returned to complete a two-year fellowship opportunity. Jacoby will be mentored by Erik Foster and Andrias Hojgard of the Bacterial Disease Branch in Fort Collins, Colorado. |  |
| Cassandra Durden obtained an M.S. in veterinary public health epidemiology at Texas A&M University and a B.S. in university studies biomedical sciences with a minor in public health and neuroscience in 2021. Cassandra is currently mentored by Anna Drexler, Ph.D., and John-Paul Mutebi, Ph.D., of the Arboviral Disease Branch in Fort Collins, Colorado. |  |
| Sri Jyosthsna Kancharlapalli is currently pursuing a doctorate in biological sciences—medical entomology at Texas Tech University. Sri will begin a two-year fellowship with the CDC in August. Sri will be mentored by William Nicholson, Ph.D., of the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch in Atlanta, Georgia. |  |
| One-Year CDC Fellows | |
| Jamesia Henderson obtained an M.S. in agricultural science with a concentration in entomology from Florida A&M University and a B.S. in health science with concentration in pre-physical yherapy in 2021. Jamesia will be mentored by Ellen Dotson, Ph.D., and John Gimnig, Ph.D., in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in Atlanta, Georgia. |  |
| Juan Manuel De Leon Rivera received a B.S. in crop protection from the University of Puerto Rico on Mayaguez Campus in 2021. Juan returned to PHEFA for a second one-year fellowship opportunity with the CDC. Juan is mentored by Anna Drexler, Ph.D., and John-Paul Mutebi, Ph.D., of the Arboviral Disease Branch in Fort Collins, Colorado. |  |
| Abigail Nana Afia Yeboah received an M.S. in urban forestry and national resources from Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in 2022 and a B.S. in agricultural sciences from the University of Ghana in 2019. Abigail will be mentored by Ellen Dotson, Ph.D., and John Gimnig, Ph.D., in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in Atlanta, Georgia.
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| Kristen "Joy" Adkins recently graduated from Florida A&M University with an M.S. in agricultural sciences and received a B.S. in agricultural sciences with a minor in global agriculture. Joy will be mentored by Ryan Hemme, Ph.D., of the Dengue Branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico. |  |
| Raelin Mamaril received their B.S. in integrative biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2022. Raelin will be mentored by William Nicholson, Ph.D., of the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch in Atlanta, Georgia. |  |
| CDC Interns | |
| Christina Limbert received a B.S. in biology from the University of North Carolina in Spring 2023. Christina will work under the tutelage of Janet McAllister, Ph.D., in the Arboviral Diseases Branch in Fort Collins, Colorado. |  |
| Gloria Raise is currently pursuing a B.S. in forensic science from New Jersey Institute of Technology and will graduate in May 2024. Gloria also received a B.S. in chemistry-forensic science from Kean University in May 2022. Gloria will be mentored by Sarah Zohdy, Ph.D., and Cristina Rafferty of the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in Atlanta, Georgia. |  |
| JeNiyah Scaife is pursuing a B.S. in forensic science from Fayetteville State University. JeNiyah is currently working as an intern at the CDC. JeNiyah will be mentored by Sarah Zohdy, Ph.D., and Cristina Rafferty of the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in Atlanta, Georgia. |  |
| Trinity McNeil is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in animal science with a concentration in animal industry from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Trinity will work with Janet McAllister, Ph.D., in the Arboviral Diseases Branch in Fort Collins, Colorado. |  |
| Victoria Ocasio-Reed received her B.S. in criminal justice and a B.S. in forensic science with a concentration in biology, with a minor in Spanish and chemistry, from Fayetteville State University. She also received an associate degree in criminal justice technology from Richmond Community College in May 2018. She is currently working as an intern at the CDC. |  |
| Anastasia Mosquito Control District Interns | |
| Leyhma Leban is a third-year student majoring in biological systems engineering at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
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| Xharia Lipkins is a fourth-year student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University majoring in biology/pre-medicine and will graduate in December 2023. |  |
| Yara Steele is a fourth year biology/pre-med scholar, minoring in psychology at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school. |  |
| Salt Lake Mosquito Control District Interns | |
| Devin Curtis completed his second year at Salt Lake Community College. Devin is currently working as an intern conducting pesticide screening research project led by Greg White, Ph.D. |  |
| Gavin Maes is currently studying biology at Salt Lake Community College and he will be transferring in 2024 to the University of Utah to pursue his bachelor's degree. |  |
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CONTACT:
- Joe Rominiecki, ESA Senior Manager of Communications, jrominiecki@entsoc.org, 301-731-4535 x3009
- Stacie East, ESA Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, seast@entsoc.org, 301-731-4535 x3030
ABOUT: ESA is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the Society stands ready as a non-partisan scientific and educational resource for all insect-related topics. For more information, visit www.entsoc.org.