Investigators
Directors
Brian Foy, Ph.D.
RaHP VEC Co-Director/Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Colorado State University
Brian brings extensive experience in field entomology and testing novel strategies for vector control of domestic arboviral vectors. As the program co-director, Dr. Foy is involved in all aspects of RaHP VEC.
- Developing and promoting a RaHP VEC sponsored graduate fellowship program at CSU
- Developing partnerships throughout the region
Natalie Marzec, M.D., M.P.H.
RaHP VEC Co-Director/Co-Principal Investigator
Zoonoses and One Health Program Manager, Communicable Disease Branch,
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Natalie brings experience as a clinician and epidemiologist managing state-level programs related to zoonotic diseases and promoting a One Health approach. As the Co-director of RaHP VEC, she is involved in all aspects of the center.
- Developing and conducting vector control webinars
- Establishing practical internships/mentorships at CDPHE
- Identifying and implementing active mosquito surveillance in underserved and underfunded high-risk areas
- Evaluating health communication related to vector-borne disease in the RaHP
- Establishing partnerships throughout the region
Investigators
Chris Roundy, Ph.D.
Medical Entomologist, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
As the medical entomologist for the CDPHE, Chris applies his expertise in vector-borne diseases to expand vector surveillance in the state of Colorado, efforts that tie in with various RaHP VEC activities.
- Surveying public health stakeholders to determine the skills that are desirable in entry-level professionals in their fields.
- Identifying and implementing active mosquito surveillance in underserved and underfunded high-risk areas
- Evaluating health communication related to vector-borne disease in the RaHP
Arj Faraji, Ph.D., BCE
Executive Director, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD)
Ary has over 20 years of experience in vector management, including surveillance, various forms of adult and larval control, and conducting vector training workshops. He applies this programmatic knowledge and perspective across RaHP VEC activities.
- Evaluate current VBD training and assess needs, capacity, and limitations
- Host yearly mosquito control training workshops at SLCMAD
- Evaluating the operational use of approved larvicides and adulticides for WNV control in the region
- Integrating entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and vector control for Culex mosquitoes
- Establishing partnerships throughout the region
Greg White, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD)
Greg has worked in the field of vector control for over 15 years. He has experience in mosquito and arbovirus surveillance, insecticide resistance management, evaluating insecticide applications, filth fly and biting midge management, and performing vector control in multiple states.
- Evaluate current VBD training and assess needs, capacity, and limitations
- Host yearly mosquito control training workshops at SLCMAD
- Evaluating the operational use of approved larvicides and adulticides for WNV control in the region
- Integrating entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and vector control for Culex mosquitoes
- Establishing partnerships throughout the region
Nicole Kelp, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Nicole is an expert in science and health communication, which she applies to various aspects of the program.
- Developing training and education goals based on assessments of current offerings in the field and the needs of vector control professionals
- Developing evaluation metrics for RaHP VEC training programs
- Evaluating health communication related to vector-borne disease in the RaHP
Greg Ebel, Sc.D.
Director & Professor, Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University
Greg brings his expertise in arbovirus population biology, mosquito transmission biology, and disease surveillance to the various activities of the program.
- Integrating entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and vector control for Culex mosquitoes
- Evaluating entomological outcomes of larval and adult mosquito control measures
Elizabeth Hemming-Schroeder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Liz is an expert in population genetics, bioinformatics, and vector-borne disease ecology, skills applicable across program activities.
- Developing training and education goals based on assessments of current offerings in the field and the needs of vector control professionals
Rebekah Kading, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Rebekah studies the ecology and transmission dynamics of various vector-borne diseases and applies this expertise to RaHP VEC efforts.
- Assessing current courses offered by regional universities related to vector-borne diseases
- Developing a vector-borne disease training certificate for students at Colorado State University and working to improve alignment and access among academic partners
- Developing and promoting a RaHP VEC sponsored graduate fellowship program at CSU
Karla Saavedra-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Karla is an expert in insect genetics and the evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, which she applies across RaHP VEC projects.
- Evaluating the operational use of approved larvicides and adulticides for WNV control in the region
- Integrating entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and vector control for Culex mosquitoes
- Identifying and implementing active mosquito surveillance in underserved and underfunded high-risk area
Joseph McMillan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University
JR has a background in entomology and quantitative analysis, developing methods for mosquito and arboviral surveillance. He applies this expertise to various aspects of RaHP VEC.
- Developing and promoting a RaHP VEC sponsored graduate fellowship program at TTU
- Evaluating the operational use of approved larvicides and adulticides for WNV control in the region
- Evaluating entomological outcomes of larval and adult mosquito control measures
Corey Brelsfoard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University
Corey has expertise in entomology and genetics and is interested in understanding ecological and evolutionary consequences of vector control.
- Assessing current courses offered by regional universities related to vector-borne diseases
- Developing a vector-borne disease training certificate for students at Colorado State University and working to improve alignment and access among academic partners
- Developing and promoting a RaHP VEC sponsored graduate fellowship program at TTU
Tim Burton, Ph.D.
Program Manager, RaHP VEC
Tim recently completed his PhD studying outdoor-biting Anopheles vectors of malaria and evaluating outdoor-focused interventions. He is an experience coordinating field studies, conducting practical training, and as a data analyst. As program manager of RaHP VEC, he is involved in coordination and fulfillment of various center activities.