The Center for Vector Biology at Rutgers held a New Jersey Vector Biology Summit the G.H. Cook Campus on October 19. The summit provided a forum for the center to obtain input from more than a hundred state, county and university practitioners, biologists and health professionals regarding the its research and outreach priorities. The Center for Vector Biology is a newly established center of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

October 24, 2007

New Brunswick, N.J. - The Center for Vector Biology at Rutgers held a New Jersey Vector Biology Summit on the G.H. Cook Campus on October 19. The summit provided a forum for the center to obtain input from more than a hundred state, county and university practitioners, biologists and health professionals regarding its research and outreach priorities. The Center for Vector Biology is a newly established center of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Opening remarks were provided by Robert M. Goodman, executive director of NJAES. "We take our historical mandate in mosquito control very seriously, and so are investing in mosquito research and outreach," said Goodman. "At the same time, we are transforming the center to meet the evolving needs for basic and applied research to better understand and address other insects in New Jersey that also affect public health and influence the economy of the state."

Ken Bruder, chair of the New Jersey Mosquito Control Commission and Mark Slaff, director of mosquito control in Morris County also gave opening remarks at the summit. This was followed by a historical perspective from Gordon Patterson, a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology and author of Mosquito Wars: A History of Mosquito Control in Florida.

"No state agricultural experiment station has as unique and singular a role in mosquito control as the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station," said Patterson. "The work done at Rutgers has shone across the continent and affected people around the globe. Rutgers is of heroic proportions in the fight against mosquitoes."

Patterson's talk was followed by a presentation of the center's vision for the future by Randy Gaugler, director of the center. Components of the mission include striking a balance between basic and applied research; integrating surveillance and research; moving from a state to a regional and international center; developing new partnerships and alliances in public health; and reinvigorating old partnerships.

Following the morning session, the attendees dispersed into several breakout sessions to focus on one of four main topics: analysis of the vector community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; a vision for the vector community; goal-setting for the vector community; and ways to sustain the progress of the vector community. Late in the day, each group reported on their findings, which will be further studied by the center staff and incorporated into its future plans.

"In our planning for the center, we will be constantly evaluating our progress, and will certainly be making mid-course corrections," said Mark G. Robson, director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. "Throughout this process, we will be working closely with the mosquito control community."

Gaugler was optimistic that the summit heralds a strong collaborative relationship with the mosquito and public health communities in New Jersey. "This is a strong show of support for our efforts to reinvigorate old partnerships, build bridges with other universities, and to move into the international arena as a leader in mosquito biology and control."

Contact: Michele Hujber
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