Investing in the Future: CMCD’s Internship Program Develops Emerging Entomologists and Public Health Professionals

Investing in the Future: CMCD’s Internship Program Develops Emerging Entomologists and Public Health Professionals

By, Keira J Lucas, PhD

Collier County’s warm, subtropical climate and proximity to the Florida Everglades create ideal conditions for mosquitoes year-round. While these conditions support the region’s unique ecosystems, they also create ongoing public health and comfort challenges. Increased summer travel can also introduce tropical mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria through infected travelers returning to Florida, while migratory birds can amplify viruses already present in the region, including West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis. Protecting residents and visitors from these threats requires science, innovation, and a highly trained workforce.

Each summer, a new group of students join the Collier Mosquito Control District (CMCD) to help meet that challenge. Interns from local colleges and universities across the country gain hands-on experience in mosquito surveillance, disease monitoring, research, technology, communications, and public administration. Through these experiences, students learn how scientific data and public service is transformed into real-world decisions that protect public health and quality of life in Southwest Florida.

On the Frontiers of Mosquito Control Science

CMCD’s student-led research program combines public health, medical entomology, environmental science, and public service in one of the nation’s most ecologically significant regions. Through applied research, the program prepares future scientists and public health professionals to address real-world challenges in mosquito management and disease prevention.

The District’s research internship program began in 2016 during a pivotal moment in Florida’s history. As Zika virus emerged in the state, students became active participants in surveillance and response efforts. Working alongside District scientists and operational staff, interns helped monitor invasive Aedes mosquitoes, support mosquito-borne disease surveillance, and strengthen efforts to prevent local transmission of Zika virus in Collier County.

Those early interns helped establish programs that continue to benefit the District today, including invasive mosquito monitoring and pesticide resistance management initiatives. Through partnerships with the CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases and the United States Department of Agriculture, students also received specialized training in pesticide resistance testing to ensure the District continues to be effective and efficient in our mosquito control operations.

Along the way, interns learned the scientific method in action—asking questions, collecting data, testing hypotheses, analyzing results, and making evidence-based recommendations. These skills extend far beyond mosquito control and help prepare students for careers in science, public health, research, and environmental management.

Applying Technology to Fight the Bite

CMCD’s internship program reflects the growing role of technology in mosquito control. Interns in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) gain hands-on experience with tools that support modern operations.

UAS interns assist with drone-based surveillance, mapping, and treatment applications, while GIS interns use spatial analysis and mapping software to identify mosquito habitats and visualize surveillance data. Students have also contributed to innovation through 3D printing projects, designing and testing custom tools and components for field, laboratory, and surveillance operations.

These technology-focused internships help advance mosquito control while introducing students to careers in aviation, geospatial sciences, data analysis and engineering.

Administration Keeps the District Moving

Effective mosquito control depends on more than scientists, pesticide applicators, and field technicians. It also requires dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to support the District’s workforce and daily operations.

New this year, CMCD welcomed its first human resources intern, expanding internship opportunities into the administrative side of public service. The human resources internship introduces students to workforce development, recruitment, employee engagement and organizational operations. By working directly with District staff, the intern gains valuable insight into how public organizations attract, support, and retain talented employees.

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Today, CMCD’s internship program serves as a launching pad for future professionals. It gives students the opportunity to contribute to meaningful public service while helping protect the health and quality of life of Collier County residents and visitors.

The program has also become an important workforce pipeline for the District. Many CMCD employees first joined the organization as interns before advancing into full-time roles as Laboratory Technicians, Biologists, Public Outreach and Education Specialists, GIS Specialists, and more!

Beyond CMCD, former interns have gone on to careers in federal agencies, military service, private industry, and academic research. Many have also continued their education through master’s and doctoral programs, carrying the skills and experiences gained at CMCD into the next stage of their careers.

A key factor in the program’s success has been the strong relationships the District has built with local colleges and universities, particularly Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW). The partnership between FSW and CMCD is designed to create direct workforce pathways for students interested in scientific, environmental, technological, and public service careers.

By connecting classroom learning with hands-on field, laboratory, technical, and administrative experiences, CMCD helps students develop practical skills, build professional networks, and see how science and public service work together to solve real-world challenges.

Meet Our 2026 Interns

Camila Luna – Research Intern, Field Validation

Figure 1: Field Validation Intern, Camila Luna, represented NYU and CMCD at the 2026 AMCA Washington Conference.

• Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Degree Program: Master of Public Health, Health Policy
• Projects: Her independent research project focuses on evaluating essential oil-based barrier sprays against saltmarsh mosquitoes using laboratory assays. She is also working on a project focusing on the relationship between socioeconomic factors and mosquito-borne disease risk in Collier County.

Camila was also awarded travel stipend to attend the American Mosquito Control Association 2026 Washington Conference, and had the opportunity to participate in meetings with members of congress and federal regulatory agencies regarding mosquito control initiatives.

Ricardo Serrate – Research Intern, Field Validation

Figure 2: Field Validation Intern, Ricardo Serrate, presents his research at the FSW – Naples Campus Science Symposium during Spring 2026.

• Institution: Florida SouthWestern State College
• Degree Program: Associate of Arts, General Education (Pre-Vet/Med/Dental)
• Project: Rick supports CMCD operations through mosquito trapping and surveillance for West Nile virus. His independent research project focuses on evaluating the efficacy of microbial larvicides and essential oil-based larvicides, and their impacts on beneficial aquatic insects using laboratory assays.

Grace Thomforde – Research Intern, Surveillance and Laboratory

Figure 3:  Surveillance and Laboratory Intern, Grace Thumforde, performs mosquito aspirations for her independent research project.

• Institution: University of Florida
• Degree Program: Bachelor of Science, Plant Science
• Project: Grace also supports CMCD operations through mosquito trapping and surveillance for West Nile virus. Her independent research project focuses on field assessments comparing automated mosquito monitoring systems with traditional human landing rate counts.

Joseph Meyer – Research Intern, Surveillance and Laboratory

Figure 4: Surveillance and Laboratory Intern, Joseph Meyer, is awarded the best overall presentation during the FSW – Naples Campus Science Symposium.

• Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
• Degree Program: Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
• Project: Joseph’s independent research projects focus on evaluating pyrethroid-based and essential oil-based barrier sprays against saltmarsh mosquitoes using laboratory, semi-field and open field evaluations. He also spends a lot of time monitoring saltmarsh mosquito populations in Port of the Islands to help determine the effectiveness of mosquito control applications.

Mason Cramer – Technical Development Intern, UAS

Figure 5: UAS Intern, Mason Cramer, performs a drone treatment targeting mosquito larvae in standing water.

• Institution: Purdue University
• Degree Program: Bachelor of Science, Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Project: Mason works closely with technical development staff, supporting operations related to the use of drone technology in mosquito control, including aerial mapping and drone-based larvicide applications.

Jenna Hahn – Human Resources Intern

Figure 6: Human Resources Intern, Jenna Hahn, with her son, Asher.

• Institution: Florida SouthWestern State College
• Degree Program: Associates of Arts, General Education
• Project: Jenna works closely with human resources staff, supporting human resources through administrative tasks and personnel-related projects.

Together, these interns represent the future of mosquito control, public health, and public administration. Their curiosity and willingness to tackle real-world challenges are helping CMCD advance its mission today while preparing the next generation of professionals.

Whether students are interested in science, technology, administration, or public service, CMCD offers opportunities to develop practical skills while contributing to an organization dedicated to protecting public health.

For more information about our internship program or to learn more about the science behind mosquito control, please visit us at www.cmcd.org.

Scientific Contributions of CMCD’s Interns

Lucas KJ, McDuffie D, Guiterrez I, Kacinskas S, Rosales A, Konieczny O, Luna C. (2026) Susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti populations to naled in Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc.

Katz G, Bonaccorsi J, Konieczny O, Lucas KJ, Rosales A. (2025) Uses of 3D modeling and additive manufacturing techniques at Collier Mosquito Control District. Wingbeats. Winter 2025 Issue.

Lucas KJ, Babcock E, Bales RB. (2023). Baseline susceptibility and effectiveness of adulticides to local Aedes taeniorhynchus from Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 39: 212-15.

Lucas KJ, Bales RB. (2022) Insecticide resistance evaluation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from Collier County, Florida. Arthropod Management Tests. 47(1).

Watkins A, Babcock E, Lucas KJ. (2021) Ornamental bromeliads of local Botanical Gardens serve as larval production sites for pyrethroid-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus in Collier County, Florida. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc. 68: 14-23.

Whiteman A, Loaiza J, Yee D, Poh K, Watkins AS, Lucas KJ, Rapp T, Kline L, Ahmed A, Chen S, Delmelle E, Oguzie J. (2020) Do socioeconomic factors drive Aedes mosquito vectors and their arboviral diseases? A systematic review of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika Virus. One Health. doi: 100188

Lucas KJ, Brake P, Grant S, Lake L, Bales RB, Ryan R, Phillips N, Linn P. (2020) Characterization and efficacy of VectoBac® WDG applications targeting container-inhabiting mosquitoes utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. J Florida Mosq Control Assoc. 67: 84-90.

Lucas KJ, Bales RB, McCoy KD, Weldon C. (2020) Oxidase, esterase and kdr-associated pyrethroid resistance identified in Culex quinquefasciatus field collections from Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 36(1):22–32.

Lucas KJ, Watkins A, Phillips N, Appazatto DJ, Linn P. (2019) The impact of Hurricane Irma on population density of the Black Salt Marsh Mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), in Collier County, Florida. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 35(1):71–74.