Students

Kanya Long

Virology:
Joined program in 2004

Mentor: Dr. Robert Tesh

Publications/Experience:

1. Cummings DA, Moss WJ, Long K, Wiysonge CS, Muluh TJ, Kollo B, Nomo E, Wolfe ND, Burke DS. (2006) Improved measles surveillance in Cameroon reveals two major dynamic patterns of incidence. Int J Infect Dis 10(2):148-55.
2. Waters HR, Dougherty L, Tegang SP, Tran N, Wiysonge CS, Long K, Wolfe ND, Burke DS. (2004) Coverage and costs of childhood immunizations in Cameroon. Bull World Health Organ 82(9):668-75.

Award/Grants:

1. National Security Education Program David L. Boren Fellowship, 2007-2008
2. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2004-2007
3. GSBS Associates Recruitment Scholarship, 2004

Research Description: My dissertation research focuses on Mayaro virus (MAYV). MAYV is found in humid, tropical forests of South America, where it is maintained principally in an enzootic Haemagogus-monkey sylvan transmission cycle. This virus can infect and cause febrile illness in humans who enter forests and serve as a blood meal for resident mosquitoes. I am interested in whether MAYV can exploit as a vector alternate mosquito species commonly found in urban areas, and whether there is evidence that MAYV has in the past been transmitted in or has the potential to develop a sustained urban (human-domestic mosquito-human) cycle, as has occurred with dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya viruses. This project will entail both laboratory (vector competence studies) and field (serological and entomological surveys) research, in Galveston, Texas and Iquitos, Peru.

Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Education: BS (biology) and BA (English literature), Atlantic Union College
MHS (international health), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
Contact:  kclong@utmb.edu

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