Nicole Mans, a doctoral student in entomology at the University of California, Davis, has received a Fulbright scholarship to do research in Peru on dengue, a mosquito-borne disease that globally accounts for 50 million cases of dengue fever annually. The most severe form, dengue haemorrhagic fever, afflicts 100,000 people a year and is potentially lethal.

Mans, one of nine successful applicants from a pool of 50 for the Peruvian grant, will leave this fall to study the ecology and epidemiology of dengue in city of Iquitos for eight to 10 months.

"I'm particularly interested in the intersection of ecology, epidemiology and public health," she said.

"This is a wonderful honor and opportunity for Nicole," said her major professor, Thomas Scott, professor of entomology and director of the UC Mosquito Research Program at UC Davis. "She is being given the opportunity to experience the daily challenges and rewards of her professional aspiration, international health in a developing nation. I have high expectations for Nicole and am excited to follow her progress with this important project."

Globally, some 2.5 million people are at risk for dengue. The virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti. "There is no vaccine and no cure for the disease," Mans noted. "Although vaccines are under development, for now the only option for limiting transmission is vector control. Therefore, understanding the ecology of the mosquito vector is important for making sound public health policies."

"I'm going to investigate who is at great risk, with the goal that we may eventually be able to direct control efforts more efficiently."

Mans, from Palo Alto, received her bachelor of arts degree in environmental studies in 2003 from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, and her master's degree in epidemiology, with an emphasis on infectious diseases, from UC Davis in 2006.

She attributes an undergraduate course in medical geography with sparking her interest in vectorborne diseases. "The combination of ecology and public health especially intrigued me."

Her first research experience: studying the West Nile virus with Mary Garvin at Oberlin College.

Mans enrolled in the UC Davis entomology doctorate program in fall 2004. After finishing her doctorate, she plans a teaching career.

The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress, offers teaching and research opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals in more than 140 countries. The program awards more than 1300 grants annually.

U. S. Sen. J. William Fulbright (1905-1955) of Arkansas, who conceived the Fulbright Program, defined its purpose as "fostering leadership, learning and empathy between cultures."