Jonathan was a Vector Control Intern for Utah County Mosquito Abatement during Summer 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
The lab at the Mosquito Abatement district works with Utah Lake authorities and the Public Health department to mitigate the risk of viral and bacterial infections to the public from mosquito vectors. To do so, we trapped field samples weekly to keep track of mosquito populations and divided them into 15 different species. Those that could carry important diseases were then tested using quantitative RT-PCR and results were recorded and reported to Public Health officials. These results also affected where pesticides were applied in the county by the field technicians and drone teams. When we were not collecting, processing, and recording data on the field samples the lab could be seen aiding the other teams in various projects. A current side project for the lab is also monitoring the resistance of Mosquito populations in Utah County and the age of related samples using age-related protein primers. This data is currently being published to help other Abatement districts implement this testing so viral risk can be better detected and resistance spotted. Once resistance is seen, a district can switch its primary pesticide to yield greater mortality rates and protect the public.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned the value of consistency and professionalism. By working for the government, everything is recorded and tracked, so by consistently performing and showing up for scheduled hours, I saw how my work positively impacted the district. I also saw how inconsistency negatively affected the district and concerned my upper management. Professionalism came as I was asked to present certain findings to other districts, the Public Health administration, or my upper management. As I followed these tenants, I was surprised by how it affected my demeanor at work and my relationship with my superiors.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Due to this experience I am looking more into research for my postgraduate studies. I still intend to go into the same field but desire to explore the research side as well. This internship also enabled me to pursue a higher education as I gained practical experience in the field.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This was my first experience working for a lab and I was inspired by the work I did here. It has led me to appreciate my studies more and to look into more avenues of research that I can engage in after and during school.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
This specific research is a little tedious so I would recommend it to those that can find joy in the mundane. There is a decent amount of downtime from main projects during the week and you are expected to put in 40 hours each week, so anyone that can enjoy finding work to do or creating side projects would have success as well. It is a great work environment doing a task that betters the Public's Health.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
The people here care about one another and want to help each other succeed. If you are social and care about your work and the environment therein you will flourish here. They hire two lab technicians every summer and there are labs in most of the counties here in Utah that also hire with similar projects going on.
