Michelle Sanford
As a Masters student, I worked extensively in constructed treatment wetlands in southern California investigating the population dynamics of mosquitos and the associated aquatic community in relationto
nitrogen enrichment, vegetation management and wetland substrate modification. The main focus of this research was to develop and evaluate methods to reduce mosquito production from these habitats
that could be implemented at the design phase of wetland installation, thus avoiding the large costs associated with large scale wetlands renovation later. As a new PhD student, my research interests include the ability of mosquitoes to learn to recognize odors not normally associated
with hosts or natural food sources. This has potential implications for trapping methodologies and future control strategies. I am also interested in the use of dipterans in forensic investigations.