By Emily Sandall, Ph.D.
Editor’s Note: This is the next article in the “Standout ECPs” series contributed by the Entomological Society of America’s Early Career Professionals (ECP) Committee, highlighting outstanding ECPs that are doing great work in the profession. (An ECP is defined as anyone within the first five years of obtaining their terminal degree in their field.) Read past articles in the Standout ECPs series.
Akilah Stewart, Ph.D., is a second-year postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine in South Bend, Indiana. She is also an affiliate of the Eck Institute of Global Health at the University of Notre Dame. Her current research focuses on developing biorational yeast RNA interference (RNAi) insecticides for controlling mosquitoes and other medically important pests.
Stewart holds a B.Sc. in environmental and natural resources management and biology (2004) and an Erasmus Mundus Joint European M.Sc. in water and coastal management (2010) from the University of Plymouth, U.K., the University of Cadiz, Spain, and the University of Algarve, Portugal. She completed her Ph.D. in environmental biology in 2022 at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Her doctoral thesis investigated the microbiome of domestic water from rural communities in the southern Caribbean and its implications for water quality and human health, supervised by professor Adesh Ramsubhag, Ph.D.
Sandall: Can you tell us about yourself and your experience in entomology?
Stewart: I am from the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the southern Caribbean. I don’t have any formal degrees in entomology, so I have taken a less traditional path into the field.
After completing my master’s degree, I conducted research on human health and water resource impacts of climate change in the Caribbean at the Department of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine campus in Trinidad. The lead for this part of this project was the late professor Dave Chadee, Ph.D., a renowned medical entomologist in Trinidad and Tobago and the region. While working on this project, we identified dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases as areas requiring more research. During this time, I began my postgraduate research with professor Chadee as my academic supervisor on another project on sustainable water resources management in the Caribbean.
As a member of professor Chadee’s lab, eager to be a part of field work, I volunteered on a few of his entomological projects, including updating knowledge on the bird parasite Philornis downsi and on various aspects of Aedes mosquito surveillance across Trinidad. In 2016, professor Chadee suddenly passed away. After his passing, we made a short documentary on his life called “The Mosquito Man.” While conducting interviews for this student film, I discovered the rich history of entomological research in Trinidad and Tobago—for example, the extensive work by other local and international scientists and the history of the Trinidad Regional Virology Lab.
Later, I worked as an independent research consultant for a project where I was involved in field assessment of yeast-interfering RNA larvicides targeting Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya viruses in Trinidad. This involved a collaboration between Dr. Azad Mohammed from my university at the time, the UWI, with professor Molly Duman Scheel, Ph.D., from Indiana University and professor Dave Severson, Ph.D., from the University of Notre Dame. Molly’s lab at Indiana University focuses on developing new methods of mosquito control that are safe. Yeast-interference RNA pesticides are new promising candidates that fit these criteria.
Mosquitoes eat yeast in the wild, commonly known as baker’s yeast. We use baker’s yeast to deliver our lab-designed pesticide. The yeast larvicides employ the RNA interference mechanism that silences essential mosquito-specific genes; with no targets in other organisms, the larvicides provide an eco-friendly approach for disease-vector mosquito control.
We also conduct public engagement studies that include social surveys in Trinidad to sensitize communities and assess their acceptance of the new yeast-based mosquito control products. I have been involved in conducting surveys, focus groups, interviews, and community group engagement exercises.
Following local lab validation, we grew our own yeast pesticides and carried out semi-field trials in Trinidad. This research was successfully completed and led to me working on two further projects at the UWI on ovitrapping and exploring attractive options for Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, which I did while finishing my Ph.D. studies. I really liked this research because it intersected with my thesis and the issues of stored water in a time of increased water-resource insecurity and rainwater harvesting. Too often, I would find mosquito larvae around people’s homes in stored water sources.
Have you always been interested in insects? What career would you pursue if you weren’t working with insects?
Coming from a tropical island, insects have always been a big part of my world and day-to-day life. Through my outdoor experiences such as hiking, camping, and gardening, I got to witness the interaction between insects and the broader environment. Through these interests I joined a local society with many members who were knowledgeable about local biodiversity, including insects, called the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club. I have been a member for several years and have learnt so much about local biodiversity through this group.
Additionally, my first job after my undergraduate degree was as a tour guide and conservation officer at the Asa Wright Nature Centre in the rain forest mountains of Trinidad. One way we would engage visitors who come from all over the world was offering them termites to eat on the nature trails followed by discussions about insects as a food source and sustainability. I was a vegetarian at the time but ate termites in the name of science!
If I were not working on insects, I would pursue a career in water resources management, naturally. I have spent several years in both areas of research. Therefore, I continue to find ways to gain the best of both worlds. My lab is now beginning a larviciding project, which will involve testing our biorational yeast insecticides against West Nile virus (Culex) mosquitoes in juvenile stages. This is a collaboration with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases.
What are some of the best parts of your job? What is something that may surprise us about your job?
As an environmental biologist, I most enjoy being outdoors, understanding ecology and how the various parts of the ecosystem are connected. I like studying biodiversity, and therefore the premise of the biopesticides we are creating, which target mosquitoes and do not affect non-target organisms, is something that is very important to me.
My postdoctoral experience under the mentorship of professor Scheel also allows me to explore three areas all at once: the human-social side through social science studies, in addition to the lab and industry aspects. Every time I show someone from the public what a mosquito egg looks like for the first time or mention how many we collect in the field—e.g., 157,000 Aedes from a field study we conducted in 2022 in Trinidad—their amusement and additional inquiry further motivate me to continue to learn and share. From the industry side, we want to ultimately make this a product that people can benefit from, so I have learnt quite a bit about conducting basic research that can be translated into a complete product to promote public health.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of your work?
Lately, I’ve been biking a lot. I bike to and from my lab at Indiana University School of Medicine every day. I cover around 30-40 miles per week. I also volunteer at the South Bend Bike Garage, where I am learning how to repair bikes. The garage offers free bike repair services to the public.
I also like to swim. Coming from a tropical island, swimming in Indiana’s cold weather has been a new and interesting experience. I have swum in water temperatures as cold as 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius). I hope to try cold-water swimming during winter.
Last year, I joined the Association of Women in Science—Notre Dame Chapter, where I served as a postdoctoral representative. We organized several outreach events, with one standout being the Science Alive event at the St. Joseph County Public Library, where we demonstrated DNA extraction from strawberries to children. Next year, I would like to create an educational exhibit about mosquitoes.
What are you hoping to do in the next step of your career?
I really enjoy communicating science and science education. So, I may teach or become more involved with extension work. I am looking forward to what comes next.
What advice do you have for other early career professionals?
I believe it’s important to always do your best. Even while that may sound cliché, it has always sustained me. Applying this philosophy in everything can lead to a lot of exploration and growth. I also advise people to be present in each task they do, as being engaged allows you to better interact with others. For me, this allows me to network without even realizing I am networking.
In terms of perceived obstacles or challenges, I think it is important to always challenge this by asking yourself “What isn’t for you?” You can really do many things that others may have thought was not for you. Also, consider if you are doing something because you really like doing it or are doing it to earn a living. If you can satisfy both, then great. I encourage early career professionals to write down what they think they can’t do—often, you realize you could spend that time making a plan to achieve what may seem unachievable. I often find myself saying to people, do not diminish what you have done. You are your best cheerleader, and you should operate like you are your only cheerleader, because that’s when people will hear you the loudest and therefore see you.
How did you become involved in ESA?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our lab decided to present at the ESA Annual Meeting virtually, so I joined ESA in 2020. We presented our research findings on the analysis of community perceptions regarding a biorational means of Aedes mosquito control in Trinidad using yeast-interfering-RNA-baited ovitraps. After that, I started receiving various emails from ESA about opportunities to volunteer, and finally last year I decided to volunteer. I was pleasantly surprised by how inviting and open the Early Career Professionals Committee was. I am also impressed by how organized they are, much like social insects, and I encourage others to apply for their various calls because the professional development has been truly invaluable to me.
Last question: If you could be any arthropod, what would you pick and why?
Of course, I would consider a mosquito species as they have an aquatic phase which goes well with my interests. The larvae of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes feed on other larvae, so I admire them for being very focused and determined. At the same time the gentle adults are very beautiful and elegant and do not take a blood meal! Otherwise, I would choose to be one of the many species of ants in Trinidad and Tobago, because they are industrious, very intelligent, and fearless.
Thank you, Akilah! If you want to learn more about Akilah Stewart and her research, you can find her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
Emily L. Sandall, Ph.D., is a science advisor at the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Washington, DC, and is the Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity Section representative to the ESA Early Career Professionals Committee. Email: sandall.emily@gmail.com.
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