Associate Professor

Dr. Becky Smith is an associate professor of epidemiology in the Department of Pathobiology and Health Innovation Professor in the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine. She earned her DVM and a PhD in epidemiology from Cornell University, as well as MS in biosecurity and risk analysis from Kansas State University. She serves as an investigator with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, where her work is focused on surveillance, modeling, and forecasting of West Nile Virus and tick-borne diseases. 

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases – Part 1 & 2

We will guide participants through a simulated tick check on artificial feline/canine patients, identification of “found” tick species using real tick specimens and discuss potential pathogen concerns and differentials based on the species and feeding duration. Through this hands-on lab, participants will review the most common locations for tick attachment, the frequently encountered tick species and their associated pathogens, and the latest in tick control strategies. We will provide handouts detailing tick species, their ecology, and associated pathogens that participants can use for future reference.