Tell us a bit about the person behind the title Editor-in-Chief.
Editor-in-Chief of Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Lisa Reimer began editing the journal in 2020.
Lisa is a specialist in mosquito ecology, insecticide resistance and the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases, making her an ideal editor for the journal.
How did your academic career develop, and what led you to entomology in particular?
While working as a high school science teacher in the Gambia, I came to appreciate the threat of entirely preventable vector-borne diseases like malaria. I learned about entomological research from scientists working at the Medical Research Council Unit in the Gambia and volunteered there during the school breaks. After two years in the Gambia I moved to Davis, California and worked in a number of roles, including a volunteer at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, a field researcher for Princeton University and a laboratory researcher at UC Davis. I then started graduate school at UC Davis, working on insecticide resistance in west African mosquitoes.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? (i.e. as an academic/researcher etc. not just an EiC)?
I have the opportunity to work with and learn from vector biologists around the world who are leading national malaria control efforts. I love that my role allows me to express my curiosity but also enables my work to have impact.
What is the best part of your role as EiC of your journal?
It gives me protected time to read about fascinating research that is outside my area of expertise.
Our work in Papua New Guinea showed that insecticide treated nets can eliminate lymphatic filariasis and this contributed to policy shifts in LF elimination strategies. The most exciting part was that we showed how mosquito behavior changes following the bednet distribution led to a mismatch between peak biting times and peak microfilaremia.
Vector-parasite interactions for the win!
– Lisa Reimer
Many entomologists travel widely – what was the most enjoyable fieldwork location you’ve worked in, and would you recommend it for a holiday?
I lived in Papua New Guinea for four years and had the opportunity to travel around the country for mosquito surveillance. PNG is an amazing place to visit if you are interested in insect diversity! My most enjoyable field site was East Cape in Milne Bay.
What’s your favourite insect and why?
Blue orchard bees, I spent a summer monitoring their nests for a pollinator study and I became very attached! They are much cuter than mosquitoes, my study insect.
What is one piece of advice you wished you’d received as an ECR?
Write your own definition of success which allows you to celebrate your efforts rather than externally approved outcomes.
Where are you hoping your research (or career) will take you next?
I recently moved from an academic position in the UK to a role at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA. Moving out of academia was a major shift and I’m looking forward to developing my research network and making the most of this opportunity.
Quickfire Questions
Lisa’s favourite:
- Place? Scotland
- Food? Tacos
- Drink? Coffee
- Book? Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- Band? Sufjan Stevens
- Film? The Graduate
- Sports team? Lionesses
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