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KATHLEEN M. WESTBY
TYSON RESEARCH CENTER
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
6750 TYSON VALLEY ROAD
EUREKA, MO 63025
PHONE: 314.935.8430 • EMAIL: KWESTBY@WUSTL.EDU
EDUCATION
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
School of Biological Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy
Normal, Illinois
2010- 2015
TULANE UNIVERSITY
New Orleans, Louisiana
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Department of Tropical Medicine
Master of Science and Public Health
2008 – 2010
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Seattle, Washington
Program on the Environment: Population and Health
Bachelor of Arts
2001 – 2003
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Tyson Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis
April 2015- present
Research Assistant
Illinois State University
May 2012- December 2013
Dr. Steven Juliano, Ph.D advisor
and 2014
Worked on a field project examining the effects of container size, hydroperiod, and predation on
mosquito larval community composition and adult mosquito production.
Intern
Tennessee State Department of Health, Vector- Borne Disease Laboratory January- August 2010
Dr. Abelardo Moncayo, State Medical Entomologist
Led a field project investigating the involvement of invasive mosquitoes in the transmission of
La Crosse Virus. Used various molecular techniques including DNA and RNA extraction, RFLP,
RT- PCR, rt- PCR, and IFA. Tick and mosquito identification.
Summer Intern
New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board
Dr. Claudia Riegel, Assistant Director
June- August 2009
Collected and reared larval mosquito specimens, conducted field collections of Culex spp. egg
rafts for an insecticide resistance study in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, performed insecticide resistance bottle bioassay and field tests, assisted in pest
inspections and rodent trapping, researched bioinformatics on common and important mosquito
species and the pathogens they may harbor.
Research Assistant
Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University
October 2008
Dr. Ivo Foppa, Pilot Study
Set up both malaise and gravid traps, released Culex quinquefasciatus with the interest of recapture to
assess feeding preferences. Identified captured wild mosquitoes to the species level.
Research Assistant
Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University October 2008 and August 2009- January 2010
Dr. Dawn Wesson, Principle Investigator
Assisted community volunteers in filling out consent forms for participating in a Chagas disease
seroprevalence study. Performed environmental assessments at private residences. Collected
Triatoma sanguisuga at various sites. Performed gut dissections and DNA isolation on T. sanguisuga to
test for Tripanosoma cruzi. Establishment and maintenance of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
colonies. Designed and implemented a survey of container breeding mosquitoes in New Orleans
cemeteries.
Lab Assistant
College of Forestry Resources, University of Washington
November 2002 - June 2003
Dr. Jon Honea, Salmon Recovery Project
Identified and sorted aquatic insects to the genus and species level.
Independent Research Project
Program on the Environment, University of Washington
June 2003 - December 2003
Dr. Charles Treser, Advisor
Conducted research on the incidence and prevalence of vector-borne disease in Washington
State using available contemporary and historical data. Discussed the present vector species and
factors that could contribute to potential future introductions and outbreaks.
AWARDS/ GRANTS
Omar Rillet Travel Scholarship. $300, 2014
Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $700, 2014.
Illinois State University Dissertation Completion Grant. $2000, 2013
Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $150, 2013.
Dr. Robert H. Gray Biology/ Ecology Scholarship, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State
University. $1600, 2012.
Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Annual Meeting Student Presentation Competition, second place.
$100, 2012.
Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch, Presidential Student Travel Scholarship.
$250, 2012
Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $550, 2012.
Outstanding Teacher in Biological Concepts (BSC 101). $100, 2012
Illinois State University School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Research Award with Dr. Steven Juliano.
$3000, 2012
Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Annual Meeting Student Presentation Competition, second place.
$100, 2011.
Weigel Grant, Phi Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter. $1000, 2011.
Outstanding Teacher in Biological Concepts (BSC 101). $100, 2011
PUBLICATIONS
Westby KM, Juliano SA. Simulated Seasonal Photoperiods and Fluctuating Temperatures Have Limited
Effects on Blood Feeding and Life History in Aedes triseriatus. in review.
Westby KM, Muturi EJ, Juliano SA. Short Term Sugar Deprivation: Effects on La Crosse Virus
Infection, Willingness to Blood Feed and Fecundity in Aedes albopictus. in review.
Westby KM, Fritzen CM, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, and Moncayo AM. Natural Vertical
La Crosse Virus Infection in Field Collected Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Aedes
triseriatus mosquitoes. in review.
Westby KM, Juliano SA. Habitat Age and Prior Exploitation in Aquatic Container Communities:
Effects on Female Life History in the Mosquito Aedes triseriatus. in prep.
Westby KM, Juliano, SA. Habitat Size, Hydroperiod, and Predation: Limited Effects on Prey Species
Abundance, Adult Production, and Adult Longevity in Aquatic Container Communities. in prep.
Fritzen CM, Huang JJ, Westby K, Freye JD, Dunlap B, Yabsley MJ, Schardein M, Dunn JR,
Jones TF, and Moncayo AC. Infection Prevalences of Common Tick- borne Pathogens
in Adult Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and American Dog Ticks
(Dermacentor variabilis) in Kentucky. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
2011 85: 718- 723.
PRESENTATIONS (* = undergraduate mentored in research)
Westby KM, Juliano SA. Do Seasonal Temperatures Matter in the Larval Habitat? Effects on Adult
Size, Female Longevity, and r’ in the Mosquito Aedes triseriatus, Vector of La Crosse Virus.
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting: New Orleans, LA
November 2- 6, 2014. (poster)
Westby KM, Juliano SA. It’s the time of the season: Effects of Seasonal Photoperiods and Fluctuating
Temperatures on Bloodmeals and Reproductive Investment of Aedes triseriatus. Society of
Vector Ecology Annual Meeting: San Antonio, TX. September 28 – October 2, 2014. Invited
(oral)
Westby KM, Juliano SA. Endless summer: A season long field study on the effects of larval density,
temperature, and habitat size on adult mosquito vectorial capacity. Entomological Society of
America Annual Meeting Austin, TX. November 9-14, 2013. Invited (oral)
Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Mosquito Quantity and Quality: Using Environmental Parameters
to Predict Abundance and Survivorship. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association
Annual Meeting: Champaign, IL. November 15-16, 2012 (oral)
Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Container Habitat Characteristics: Aedes Larval Abundances and
Adult Quality. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting: Knoxville, TN. November
11-14, 2012. (poster)
Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Container Habitat Characteristics: Aedes Larval Abundances and
Adult Quality. Society of Vector Ecology Annual Meeting: St. Augustine, FL. September 23- 27,
2012. Invited (oral)
Westby KM, *Williams J, Juliano SA. Habitat Characteristics and Larval Abundances of Medically
Mosquito Species in Central Illinois. Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch
Annual Meeting: Lincoln, NE. June 3-6, 2012. (oral)
Westby KM, Fritzen C, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, Moncayo AC. La Crosse Encephalitis
in Eastern Tennessee: Evidence of Invasive Mosquito (Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus)
Involvement in the Transmission of an Indigenous Disease.
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting: Philadelphia, PA.
December 4-8, 2011. (poster)
Westby KM, Fritzen C, Huang JJ, Jaske E, Paulsen D, Jones C, Moncayo AC. La Crosse Encephalitis
in Eastern Tennessee: Evidence of Invasive Mosquito Involvement in the Transmission of an
Indigenous Disease. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association Annual Meeting:
Champaign, IL. November 17- 18, 2011. (oral)
Westby KM, Michaels SR, Blyth ME and Wesson DM. An Assessment of Container Breeding
Mosquitoes in New Orleans, LA Cemeteries- 2009. South Central Regional Mosquito
Control Conference: Beaumont, TX. November 17-19, 2009. (oral)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant
School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University
Laboratory Instructor, Ecology (BSC 201)
2014
School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University
2011- 2012
Laboratory Instructor, Biological Concepts (BSC 101)
Department of Communication, University of Washington
2006 -2008
Dr. Taso Lagos, Program Director
Athens Communication and Leadership Seminar, Greece
Assisted in student advising, course planning and material development in topics such as
Democracy and media, media and catastrophes, and the environment and media.
UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY SERVICE
Mentor to undergraduate researchers, Illinois State University
2011- 2014
Mentored Jake Williams on an independent project that was included in several presentations
and will be included in a publication. Supervised Pat McCormick, Adam Wiggins, and Joe
Oremus on multiple research projects.
Teach and Lead Program, through Bradley University
2014
Mentored a high school science teacher whom completed an independent research project
under my direction. The research will likely result in a publication.
Illinois State University, Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, High School
Research Symposium
Judge
2012
Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society, Beta Lambda Chapter
Board Member
2012
American Mosquito Control Association, Annual Meeting, New Orleans
Volunteer
2009
Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Seattle, Washington
AIDS walk, fundraiser and walker
2005
Planned Parenthood, Seattle, Washington
Clinic volunteer
2004
American Indian Housing Initiative, University of Washington, Lame Deer, Montana
Cultural researcher and construction volunteer
2002
PROFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Sigma Xi, member
Society of Vector Ecology, member
Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society, Beta Lambda Chapter, member
Entomological Society of America, member
2013- present
2012- present
2012- present
2011- present