Kathleen Walker

Education

PhD, Entomology - University of California - Berkeley

Research

I study the ecology of arthropod vectors of human diseases, particularly the invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti, the primary worldwide vector of arboviruses such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever. I'm exploring the environmental and human factors that affect this mosquito's abundance and longevity in an effort to understand why arbovirus transmission occurs in some communities and not in others. Mosquito vector control is also an important research area. I am collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maricopa County Environmental Services – Vector Control Division to assess and improve current integrated mosquito management methods.

A new project in my lab involves the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This tick is found (on dogs) all over the world but is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) only in a few places, including Arizona and our neighbor state of Sonora, Mexico. We are studying the genetics of this tick to find out why it transmits the RMSF pathogen (Rickettsia rickettsii) here but not in other regions. We are also working with RMSF-affected rural communities to develop a sustainable tick surveillance tool.

Extension & Outreach

As an entomologist in UA Cooperative Extension, communicating applied research results to Arizona and neighbor communities is important. I am collaborating in an EPA Border project led by Dr. Lucy Li to engage Arizona tribal communities in environmental health and IPM. We also work to provide presentations and extension publications in Spanish.

A main component of my work is science outreach to support K-12 education. Insects are amazing tools to teach young students about the natural world and the process of scientific discovery. I direct the Insect Discovery Outreach Program, providing a variety of resources to help teachers make the most of their students' fascination with the amazing world of insects. The program is designed to stimulate children's scientific curiosity through hands-on activities using live and preserved insects. Program activities include classroom visits and field trips to the UA campus for elementary school classes, outreach events, teacher training and on-line resources. Every year, the program reaches over 3000 Tucson children. Insect Discovery is staffed by UA undergraduate and graduate students who receive course credit or teaching assistantships. For more information, go to https://extension.arizona.edu/insect-discovery