Our team of scientists evaluate mosquito control methods and partner with U.S. federal agencies and national and international universities and academic institutions

AMCD has a team of scientists who evaluate the efficacy of existing and new mosquito control methods that will allow us to be good environmental stewards and reduce our District’s operational costs all while promoting and protecting public health. Our goal is for AMCD to become a state, national, and global leader in mosquito control. We are equipped with three insectaries, four laboratories, two greenhouses, three screened enclosures, multiple larval pools, a wind tunnel, an olfactometer, and a laser laboratory to aid us in this endeavor.
AMCD partners with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Goods, the University of Florida, the University of Miami, the University of North Florida, and other academic institutions both nationally and internationally.
Research Areas
- Behavioral ecology and management of mosquitoes
- Evaluation of new control methods, tools, and equipment
- Evaluation of surveillance methods and tools for vector and nuisance mosquito populations
- Insecticide resistance surveillance
- Efficacy of larvicides and adulticides for mosquito control
Lab Facilities
Applied Research Team

Dr. Rui-De Xue
Executive Director

Dr. Whitney A. Qualls
Scientific Manager/Entomologist

Dr. Steve Peper
Molecular Entomologist/Biologist

Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Mosquito Control Engineer

Dr. Vindhya Subhashinie Aryaprema
FT Grant Funded Biologist

Mr. Kai Blore
Laboratory Manager / Ph.D. Student

Mr. Steven Smoleroff
Biological technician

Mr. Connor Kuppe
Biological technician

Ms. Olivia Sypes
FT Grant Funded Biological Technician

Mr. Edward Zeszutko
Biological Technician
Adjunct Professors

Dr. Donald R. Barnard
Adjunct Senior Vector Biologist