One Health Approach to Vector-Borne Disease

Issue

The increasing burden of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in the U.S. represents an urgent health concern. A notable surge in tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, is linked to expanding tick vectors' geographic range and increased human interaction with their habitats. Concurrently, dengue outbreaks in the tropics and locally acquired cases like malaria and dengue emerging in the US are concerning. Climate change exacerbates the issue by creating favorable environments for mosquitoes and ticks in previously low-risk areas, and as human populations become more mobile, diseases spread more readily. Addressing this crisis will require integrating research, public health initiatives, and community engagement. Proactive strategies, informed by interdisciplinary research, are crucial to mitigate the impact of VBDs on public health in the U.S.

VBDs manifest through complex interactions between pathogens, vectors, and animal reservoir hosts before eventually causing human disease. Our understanding of VBDs depends on scientific contributions from a wide range of fields. For example, entomologists decode the biology of vectors and parasites, offering insights into their behavior. Wildlife ecologists analyze reservoir populations, illuminating disease transmission in animals. Epidemiologists, ecologists, and microbiologists study the broader ecological context. Behavioral scientists decipher human behavior affecting disease spread. Veterinary professionals bridge animal and human health, while genomics experts seek to understand the genetic basis for disease emergence and transmission. Immunologists explore immune responses, public health experts develop prevention strategies, and data scientists and bioinformaticians glean insights about disease patterns from “big data.” This VBD Critical Issue Initiative aims to foster collaboration among these diverse disciplines, capitalizing on the strengths of each and leading to a more comprehensive understanding of VBDs.

The short- and medium-term term goals of this initiative are to identify Penn State’s research and extension expertise relative to the most critical scientific and policy gaps and develop VBD-related grant proposals for integrated research and extension projects. Along the way, we hope to establish relationships with industry partners, funding agency program officers, and Pennsylvania state government officials. In the long run, we hope to build a statewide consortium on VBD to enhance broad-based collaboration with stakeholders across Pennsylvania. This type of interdisciplinary and community-engaged approach enhances the quality of the research output and aligns with Penn State's broader land grant mission.

Convener

Erika Machtinger, Ph.D. 
Associate Professor of Entomology
Department of Entomology

Associated Members

We are currently accepting applications to become an Associate or Affiliate with this Critical Issue Initiative! Please complete this form or email Aaron Cook (cook@psu.edu) and Erika Machtinger (etm10@psu.edu) to join!

Funding Targets

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

• Mosquito-borne Disease Control Grant Program
  • This program exclusively funds Pennsylvania counties for mosquito control activities to reduce the risk of transmission from mosquito-borne disease (West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, etc.).
  • Applicants are required to execute a contract with DEP and comply with appropriate commonwealth requirements for the reimbursement funding.
  • This opportunity opened on Dec 5, 2025. Applications are due Jan 5, 2026.
  • Questions can be directed to Jennifer Stough (jstough@pa.gov)

Department of Defense

• Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Program
• Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB)
  • Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program for the Protection of Deployed Military Personnel from Threats Posed by Arthropod Disease
  • Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDTE) Program

NIH - Fogarty International Center

• Global Infectious Disease (GID) Research Training
  
  • Proposals due:
    • August 6, 2026
  • The GID program addresses research training needs related to infectious diseases that are predominantly endemic in or impact people living in developing countries. The program focuses on:
    • Major endemic or emerging infectious diseases
    • Neglected tropical diseases
    • Infections that frequently occur as a co-infection in HIV infected individuals
    • Infections associated with noncommunicable disease conditions of public health importance in lower- or middle-income countries
  • The program includes a variety of research training options to match the needs of the developing country institution.
  • The ultimate goal is to build a critical mass of researchers and support staff to conduct independent infectious disease research in developing country institutions
  • Training programs may include:
    • Long-term (master's or doctoral) training for the full range of skills necessary to support research and research administration
    • Medium-term (3-6 months) training or mentoring, including specialized clinic, laboratory, research, or administrative/business skills necessary to support research that is planned or ongoing
    • Short-term (less than 3 months) training or mentoring that focuses on research methodology, lab skills,  

NIH - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease

National Science Foundation

• NSF Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID)

USDA

• Forest Service
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative

The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)

Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Board

Pennsylvania Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence

Pennsylvania Soybean Board

The Cohen Foundation

The Bay Area Lyme Foundation

The Gates Foundation

• Global Grand Challenges