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 biologist

Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Field Biologist

Dr. Vindhya Subhashinie Aryaprema
Biologist

Mr. Kai Blore
Biotech/Ph.D. Student

Ms. Heather Ward
Biological Technician

Mr. Steven Smoleroff
Biological technician

Mr. Morgan Duett
Surveillance Technician

Ms. Olivia Sypes
Mosquito Control Technician

Ms. Madeline Steck
Biological Technician

Ms. Lea Bangonan
FT Grant Funded Biological Technician

Ms. Taylor Ballantyne
Education Specialist
Adjunct Professors

Dr. Donald R. Barnard
Adjunct Senior Vector Biologist