Cal State San Bernardino recently concluded a three-week training workshop on vectors and vector-borne diseases. The workshop, now in its second year, provided students with an immersive learning experience combining lectures, laboratory work, field training and site visits.

Vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors, such as mosquitoes. This year, four CSUSB students and eight students from five local community colleges – Chaffey College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside City College, San Bernardino Valley College and Victor Valley College – participated in the training. All attendees received a $300 stipend and a certificate of completion.

The workshop, held May 19-June 6, was a collaborative effort with the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District in Corona, West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District in Ontario, and UC Riverside’s Department of Entomology. It was hosted by CSUSB’s Department of Health Science and Human Ecology and was supported by the Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (PacVec).

The workshop equipped students with practical skills and foundational knowledge in vector identification, surveillance and control methods, helping prepare them for potential careers in vector control. Additionally, the field sessions provided students with hands-on experience in real-world settings. With plans already underway for a third session in summer 2026, the workshop continues to strengthen the pipeline of future professionals in the field of vector control.