KATHLEEN M. WESTBY TYSON RESEARCH CENTER WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS 6750 TYSON VALLEY ROAD EUREKA, MO 63025 PHONE: 314.935.8430 • EMAIL: [email protected] EDUCATION ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY School of Biological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Normal, Illinois 2010- 2015 TULANE UNIVERSITY New Orleans, Louisiana School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Department of Tropical Medicine Master of Science and Public Health 2008 – 2010 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Seattle, Washington Program on the Environment: Population and Health Bachelor of Arts 2001 – 2003 RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Post-Doctoral Research Associate Tyson Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis April 2015- present Research Assistant Illinois State University May 2012- December 2013 Dr. Steven Juliano, Ph.D advisor and 2014 Worked on a field project examining the effects of container size, hydroperiod, and predation on mosquito larval community composition and adult mosquito production. Intern Tennessee State Department of Health, Vector- Borne Disease Laboratory January- August 2010 Dr. Abelardo Moncayo, State Medical Entomologist Led a field project investigating the involvement of invasive mosquitoes in the transmission of La Crosse Virus. Used various molecular techniques including DNA and RNA extraction, RFLP, RT- PCR, rt- PCR, and IFA. Tick and mosquito identification. Summer Intern New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board Dr. Claudia Riegel, Assistant Director June- August 2009 Collected and reared larval mosquito specimens, conducted field collections of Culex spp. egg rafts for an insecticide resistance study in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, performed insecticide resistance bottle bioassay and field tests, assisted in pest inspections and rodent trapping, researched bioinformatics on common and important mosquito species and the pathogens they may harbor. Research Assistant Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University October 2008 Dr. Ivo Foppa, Pilot Study Set up both malaise and gravid traps, released Culex quinquefasciatus with the interest of recapture to assess feeding preferences. Identified captured wild mosquitoes to the species level. Research Assistant Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University October 2008 and August 2009- January 2010 Dr. Dawn Wesson, Principle Investigator Assisted community volunteers in filling out consent forms for participating in a Chagas disease seroprevalence study. Performed environmental assessments at private residences. Collected Triatoma sanguisuga at various sites. Performed gut dissections and DNA isolation on T. sanguisuga to test for Tripanosoma cruzi. Establishment and maintenance of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus colonies. Designed and implemented a survey of container breeding mosquitoes in New Orleans cemeteries. Lab Assistant College of Forestry Resources, University of Washington November 2002 - June 2003 Dr. Jon Honea, Salmon Recovery Project Identified and sorted aquatic insects to the genus and species level. Independent Research Project Program on the Environment, University of Washington June 2003 - December 2003 Dr. Charles Treser, Advisor Conducted research on the incidence and prevalence of vector-borne disease in Washington State using available contemporary and historical data. Discussed the present vector species and factors that could contribute to potential future introductions and outbreaks. AWARDS/ GRANTS Omar Rillet Travel Scholarship. $300, 2014 Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $700, 2014. Illinois State University Dissertation Completion Grant. $2000, 2013 Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $150, 2013. Dr. Robert H. Gray Biology/ Ecology Scholarship, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University. $1600, 2012. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Annual Meeting Student Presentation Competition, second place. $100, 2012. Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch, Presidential Student Travel Scholarship. $250, 2012 Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $550, 2012. Outstanding Teacher in Biological Concepts (BSC 101). $100, 2012 Illinois State University School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Research Award with Dr. Steven Juliano. $3000, 2012 Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Annual Meeting Student Presentation Competition, second place. $100, 2011. Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $1000, 2011. Outstanding Teacher in Biological Concepts (BSC 101). $100, 2011 PUBLICATIONS Westby KM, Juliano SA. Simulated Seasonal Photoperiods and Fluctuating Temperatures Have Limited Effects on Blood Feeding and Life History in Aedes triseriatus. in review. Westby KM, Muturi EJ, Juliano SA. Short Term Sugar Deprivation: Effects on La Crosse Virus Infection, Willingness to Blood Feed and Fecundity in Aedes albopictus. in review. Westby KM, Fritzen CM, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, and Moncayo AM. Natural Vertical La Crosse Virus Infection in Field Collected Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. in review. Westby KM, Juliano SA. Habitat Age and Prior Exploitation in Aquatic Container Communities: Effects on Female Life History in the Mosquito Aedes triseriatus. in prep. Westby KM, Juliano, SA. Habitat Size, Hydroperiod, and Predation: Limited Effects on Prey Species Abundance, Adult Production, and Adult Longevity in Aquatic Container Communities. in prep. Fritzen CM, Huang JJ, Westby K, Freye JD, Dunlap B, Yabsley MJ, Schardein M, Dunn JR, Jones TF, and Moncayo AC. Infection Prevalences of Common Tick- borne Pathogens in Adult Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) in Kentucky. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2011 85: 718- 723. PRESENTATIONS (* = undergraduate mentored in research) Westby KM, Juliano SA. Do Seasonal Temperatures Matter in the Larval Habitat? Effects on Adult Size, Female Longevity, and r’ in the Mosquito Aedes triseriatus, Vector of La Crosse Virus. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting: New Orleans, LA November 2- 6, 2014. (poster) Westby KM, Juliano SA. It’s the time of the season: Effects of Seasonal Photoperiods and Fluctuating Temperatures on Bloodmeals and Reproductive Investment of Aedes triseriatus. Society of Vector Ecology Annual Meeting: San Antonio, TX. September 28 – October 2, 2014. Invited (oral) Westby KM, Juliano SA. Endless summer: A season long field study on the effects of larval density, temperature, and habitat size on adult mosquito vectorial capacity. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting Austin, TX. November 9-14, 2013. Invited (oral) Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Mosquito Quantity and Quality: Using Environmental Parameters to Predict Abundance and Survivorship. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association Annual Meeting: Champaign, IL. November 15-16, 2012 (oral) Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Container Habitat Characteristics: Aedes Larval Abundances and Adult Quality. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting: Knoxville, TN. November 11-14, 2012. (poster) Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Container Habitat Characteristics: Aedes Larval Abundances and Adult Quality. Society of Vector Ecology Annual Meeting: St. Augustine, FL. September 23- 27, 2012. Invited (oral) Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Habitat Characteristics and Larval Abundances of Medically Mosquito Species in Central Illinois. Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch Annual Meeting: Lincoln, NE. June 3-6, 2012. (oral) Westby KM, Fritzen C, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, Moncayo AC. La Crosse Encephalitis in Eastern Tennessee: Evidence of Invasive Mosquito (Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus) Involvement in the Transmission of an Indigenous Disease. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting: Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2011. (poster) Westby KM, Fritzen C, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, Moncayo AC. La Crosse Encephalitis in Eastern Tennessee: Evidence of Invasive Mosquito Involvement in the Transmission of an Indigenous Disease. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association Annual Meeting: Champaign, IL. November 17- 18, 2011. (oral) Westby KM, Michaels SR, Blyth ME and Wesson DM. An Assessment of Container Breeding Mosquitoes in New Orleans, LA Cemeteries- 2009. South Central Regional Mosquito Control Conference: Beaumont, TX. November 17-19, 2009. (oral) TEACHING EXPERIENCE Teaching Assistant School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University Laboratory Instructor, Ecology (BSC 201) 2014 School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University 2011- 2012 Laboratory Instructor, Biological Concepts (BSC 101) Department of Communication, University of Washington 2006 -2008 Dr. Taso Lagos, Program Director Athens Communication and Leadership Seminar, Greece Assisted in student advising, course planning and material development in topics such as Democracy and media, media and catastrophes, and the environment and media. UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY SERVICE Mentor to undergraduate researchers, Illinois State University 2011- 2014 Mentored Jake Williams on an independent project that was included in several presentations and will be included in a publication. Supervised Pat McCormick, Adam Wiggins, and Joe Oremus on multiple research projects. Teach and Lead Program, through Bradley University 2014 Mentored a high school science teacher whom completed an independent research project under my direction. The research will likely result in a publication. Illinois State University, Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, High School Research Symposium Judge 2012 Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society, Beta Lambda Chapter Board Member 2012 American Mosquito Control Association, Annual Meeting, New Orleans Volunteer 2009 Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Seattle, Washington AIDS walk, fundraiser and walker 2005 Planned Parenthood, Seattle, Washington Clinic volunteer 2004 American Indian Housing Initiative, University of Washington, Lame Deer, Montana Cultural researcher and construction volunteer 2002 PROFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS Sigma Xi, member Society of Vector Ecology, member Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society, Beta Lambda Chapter, member Entomological Society of America, member 2013- present 2012- present 2012- present 2011- present
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