Bill Donahue, Ph.D

President/Laboratory Director

Sierra Research Laboratories, Inc.

Speaking on: A Sterile Insect Technique Success Story: The History of the Primary Screw Worm Fly and the Cattle Industry

Dr. Bill Donahue received his B.A. in Biological Science from San Jose State University and his Ph.D. in Entomology from Texas A&M University. He started working for Zoëcon Corporation in Palo Alto, CA, the inventors of insect growth regulators and continued to work for Zoëcon in Dallas, TX developing novel types of insect control products based on insect physiology and biochemistry. Bill is now the Sr. Scientist and owner of Sierra Research Laboratories (SRL) in Modesto, California. SRL is an independent contract research laboratory specializing in testing new chemicals and devises for pest control in the fields of horticultural, medical, urban and veterinary entomology. Bill’s career has spanned 43 years and even though “retired” continues to be active in the field of entomology.

Dr. Anthony A James PhD

Donald Bren and Distinguished Professor

Depts of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry

University of California, Irvine

Speaking on: Genetic approaches to controlling mosquitoes and mosquito-borne pathogens

Dr. Anthony A. James PhD, FAAAS, FAAM, FASTMH, FESA, FRES, is Donald Bren and Distinguished Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (School of Medicine) and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (School of Biological Sciences) at the University of California, Irvine. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences USA. His research group uses genetics as the basis for synthetic approaches to prevent transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Contributions include the development of mosquito transgenesis procedures, engineered genes that interfere with malaria parasite or dengue virus development in mosquitoes, a population-suppression strain based on flightless female mosquitoes and gene-drive systems to spread beneficial genes quickly through mosquito populations. 

Plenary Session Title: Autocidal approaches for suppressing populations of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in California

Stephen Dobson, Ph.D, MosquitoMate, Inc.

Dr. Dobson is a Professor at the University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology and CEO of MosquitoMate, Inc., and a key focus of his work relates to developing novel tools to control medically important mosquitoes. Following receipt of his bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Clemson University, he served as a volunteer teacher in American Samoa, where he witnessed first-hand the effects of mosquito borne pathogens. Stephen completed an Entomology PhD at Berkeley, followed by a post doctorate at the Yale University Department of Epidemiology and Public Health. In 1998, he began at the University of Kentucky (UKY) as a Medical Entomologist, and he has worked steadily toward developing the Wolbachia pesticide approach against mosquitoes. His research has received funding support from NIFA, NIH, NSF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2011, Stephen founded MosquitoMate, Inc. as a spinoff company, based on UKY-patented Wolbachia technology, which has subsequently received additional funding support from NIH and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. The Wolbachia pesticide approach has received experimental permits from the US EPA, and with multiple years of field trials completed, MosquitoMate has recently received commercial registration for one Wolbachia-based product, while additional products are in the development pipeline. Stephen has served as President of the American Committee of Medical Entomology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. He has served on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Medical Entomology and is an active member of the Entomological Society of America, including the Medical, Urban and Veterinary Entomology Section. He is an active member of the American Mosquito Control Association, Society of Vector Ecology and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California.

Join MVCAC for a trustee session to start the 2023 MVCAC Annual Conference!

It is the goal of MVCAC and its member agencies to provide Trustees with a “value-added” experience while at Conference. The Trustee-only sessions are specifically designed to provide you with the information you need to know to help you become an exceptional member of your Board of Trustees. During the trustee session you will learn the best management practices of boards and gain some field experience, as staff take you out for some interactive site visits. The lessons learned and the topics presented during this session will make you the star of your Board.

Morning 10:00 to Noon

Session I:

Trustee Role in Vector Control – How to make the most of your time serving.

The session will begin with an informative and interactive educational presentation that will cover topics specific to mosquito and vector control agencies including laws and regulations, the unique characteristics of special districts in general, and a discussion on governance and the role Trustees play in the day-to-day operations within their agency.

Session II:

Vector 101 – An introductory look at what you need to know.

Join professional laboratory staff in this fascinating look at vectors, and what you need to know as a Trustee representing your jurisdiction. Biology and science can be intimidating, but this session will provide a fun and educational look at the science behind what happens daily in vector control districts. The session will give you a better understanding of vectors and vector control and the tools necessary to make more informed decisions.

BREAK/LUNCH: NOON – 1:00 PM

Join your fellow Trustees with an interesting lunch-time discussion with Steve Shepherd, Director of Operations at OCMVCD. Steve spent 20 years as the IPM Manager at the Disneyland® Resort. Steve will regale you with some Disney stories, anecdotes, and his many adventures while managing pests at the Resort. This is a lunch you don’t want to miss!

Afternoon 1:00-4:00

Join us as we tour some of Orange County’s most famous locations, from Newport Beach’s Back Bay to Huntington Beach’s Bolsa Chica Nature Reserve and stops in-between. This tour will highlight some of the innovative tools used in the fight against mosquitoes, (including a live drone demonstration). These field visits will give you a look at some of the mosquito breeding hot spots that OC Vector staff control on a regular basis. 

While this tour is of Orange County, vector control districts all face similar challenges and the site visits are intended to provide a general look at what district’s encounter on a regular basis.

This tour will require some walking. It is recommended that participants wear good walking shoes, long pants, and have a hat and sunglasses.

*In the event of inclement weather, the tour may be limited or curtailed.