The World’s Most Dangerous Animals - A Look at CDC Entomology Branch Activities

• Dinner starts at 7:00 pm.
• The evening's presentation begins around 7:45.
• Seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
• The capacity of the venue is 80 people.
• We expect a turnout of around 60% of day-of RSVPs.
• Refer to our Open Seating Policy (https://www.meetup.com/AtlantaScienceTavern/messages/boards/thread/40928272) for details.
• There is a $3 contribution requested from non-students.
  __________

The World’s Most Dangerous Animals - A Look at CDC Entomology Branch Activities

Robert Wirtz, PhD
Chief, Entomology Branch
Division Parasitic Diseases and Malaria
Center for Global Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/f/4/c/600_368648012.jpeg

Anopheles gambiae mosquito feeding (CDC/James Gathany (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores.jpg))
____________________

In this talk Robert Wirtz, the Chief of the Entomology Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will discuss the importance of insect-transmitted diseases, with a focus on malaria, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas disease and arboviruses, such as dengue, Chikungunya and current efforts to reduce transmission.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/b/8/600_368651192.jpeg

Robert Wirtz has been in his current position as Chief of the Entomology Branch at CDC since 1997. There he directs activities to reduce the threat of arthropod-borne diseases to humans, with a focus on control of the vectors of malaria, lymphatic filariasis and Chagas disease; insecticide resistance; analysis of insecticides and anti-malaria drugs; and evaluation and implementation of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net (LLIN) and indoor residual spray programs.

Robert coordinates technical assistance and oversight for vector control in over 30 African, Latin American and Asian countries in support of the President’s Malaria Initiative and Amazon Malaria Initiative, ongoing programs in 15 countries, which have protected an estimated 27 million people and distributed (or soon will) over 25 million LLINs.

Robert is retired as a US Army Medical Entomologist with the rank colonel. He was on active duty 1976-87 and then in the Army reserves 1987-2008.