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Students West Nile virus research takes top honors
Williams presented his dissertation topic, Prevalence of West Nile Virus in Crow-Roosting Versus Non-Crow-Roosting Areas, at the national conference. His audience was comprised of fellow university scientists, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control, state and federal public health agencies, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Smithsonian Institution, the British Museum, and his advisor, Jack Gingrich, a UD scientist. Williams describes his research over the past year as a preliminary study into a theory the entomological community has speculated about for several yearswhether a high crow population helps spread the virus. However, since a comprehensive study had never been done to back up the theory, Williams work made a deep impression on judges. The comments that I got from judges and other students was that this was research we needed, he said. The graduate student has great plans for his dissertation. It could be used to help focus mosquito control in these areas, he said, and that would help curb the spread of West Nile Virus. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is reviewing his work in their planning strategies for mosquito control in the state. The award came with a check for $1,000. Always the student, Williams plans to reinvest the money in his education. For more information about the West Nile virus, visit [www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/]. To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |