New experiential learning program to alleviate critical need for veterinary entomologists

Veterinary entomology is a small but critical discipline that supports the livestock industry, and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is working to increase training and visibility to fill the huge need.

Becky Trout Fryxell, professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and among the approximately 25 veterinary entomologists in the United States and Canada, secured a $600,000 grant that is part of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s investment of $11.6 million in Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program.

Trout Fryxell, who specializes in vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and La Crosse virus, proposed the project to help train undergraduates in the skills necessary to pursue livestock-related careers and to bolster efforts to fight tick-borne diseases that affect cattle. Currently, there are only 13 universities that offer veterinary and medical entomology courses, and only nine of those offer a laboratory component, she said.

“This lack of available educational and experiential training opportunities for undergraduate students is alarming. While we know not every animal scientist or veterinarian needs to be an entomologist, we know they need the training to identify ticks, fleas and lice because they are common ectoparasites. This program will highlight team science in a conducive and positive environment for undergraduate students through participation in research and Extension collaborations between faculty in different states,” Trout Fryxell said. Her program is called Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students, or REEVES.

Beginning in 2025, undergraduates will be selected for summer field work to learn about veterinary entomology and how to work in scientific teams. Eight students a year would be selected for the eight-week program. The program will be organized into independent university research teams which meet at a professional conference to network and then again through a virtual expo to share findings with stakeholders. In addition, students will be able to develop communication skills and leadership approaches as well as work in a team environment.

The program addresses two disciplinary issues: the shortage of veterinary entomologists, including the lack of entomological training, and the serious worldwide biosecurity issue of tick-borne diseases that  affect 80 percent of the world’s cattle population.

“There is a biosecurity need to train individuals to develop entomological skills of identification, surveillance and management for these pest and pathogen complexes that impact the livestock industry,” said Trout Fryxell.  “A unique experience like this can introduce and train students to the importance of working collaboratively to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the agricultural industry.”

These scholars also will be able to participate in another one of Trout Fryxell’s projects that received nearly $247,000 in funding from the USDA to enhance regional training and education of ticks and tick-borne diseases affecting beef cattle. There will be in-person training sessions that will include surveillance in a tick-infested or outbreak response situation, collection and submission of samples for diagnostic testing, submitting information through USDA’s Emergency Management Response System, identification of ticks and screening of ticks and blood for pathogens and the use of mapping tools and services.

Trout Fryxell is part of the VectorED Network, a Center for Disease Control-funded initiative that brings together biologists and other researchers from UT and other universities. REEVES includes faculty at the University of Tennessee, with collaborative projects formed at University of Georgia, Kansas State University and Texas A&M University.

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.