Source: Morning Ag Clips
Two undergraduates, Sydnie Frost of Purdue University and Sarah Stacy of Lincoln Memorial University, spent their summer immersed in the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students (REEVES) Program, a USDA-funded initiative hosted at the University of Georgia. Unlike traditional internships, the program gave them hands-on exposure to Veterinary entomology which is a field focused on insects and arthropods such as ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and beetles that affect livestock health.
Frost studied how two mosquito species responded to larvicides, while Stacy tested treatments on darkling beetles, which spread pathogens in poultry systems. Their work contributed to developing strategies that reduce disease transmission and improve animal production. Beyond research, the program emphasized collaboration, scientific communication, and professional development, while also broadening perspectives on One Health, the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health. Though neither student plans to specialize in entomology, both believe the experience provides a valuable edge in their Veterinary careers and deepened their appreciation for this vital but often overlooked discipline.