Anthony Wilson studies how the biology of blood-feeding insects affects the spread of viruses and our ability to control their spread. Wilson, group leader in Integrative Entomology at the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom, first did public engagement as a graduate student participating in the Science and Engineering Ambassador program at his university. He found it rewarding to speak with undergraduate students about STEM careers, especially because no one had encouraged him in this way. Since then, his public engagement has continued to be part of his research career, as his work is inherently public-facing. For example, he coordinated closely with veterinarians to manage and communicate about the bluetongue virus during the 2006 outbreak in Europe. He helped promote the message that insects spread this disease, which has severe impacts on livestock populations, and that people can help in controlling it and preventing its entry into the UK.

For his work in brain development, Flavio Donato is the 2017 grand prize winner of The Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology.

BOSTON – For bee researchers like May Berenbaum, 2006 was the year an international consortium of researchers published the first full sequence of the honeybee genome, offering a unique and long-sought glimpse at the biological quirks of an insect that shares a productive history with humans.

Scientists are testing methods ranging from selective insecticide spraying to intelligent robotic traps to curb disease-carrying mosquitoes by harnessing the power of data collection and targeted interventions, according to a presentation at the AAAS annual meeting.

Two Researchers Win Poland-U.S. Science Award for Joint Effort

Researchers Use Maker Technologies to Advance Their Work