On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Zoe Narvaez successfully defended her PhD thesis in the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University. Her thesis, entitled "Molecular and Ecological Insights into the Threat of Ticks and Tick-borne Pathogens in the Northeastern United States," offers groundbreaking contributions to understanding tick ecology and the public health risks associated with tick-borne diseases. Her research focused on tick surveillance and pathogen prevalence in New Jersey, drawing from comprehensive field studies and advanced molecular techniques. Key findings from her work include the spread of various tick species, the detection of new tick populations, and the identification of environmental factors influencing tick distribution. Notably, her work highlighted the emergence and geographic expansion of the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) and the northward movement of Ixodes keiransi into southern New Jersey. Zoe's research revealed the role of urbanization in New Jersey’s tick-borne disease landscape. Her research also underscored the importance of accurate tick species identification for assessing Lyme disease risk and other tick-borne infections. A major component of her thesis examined the pathogen prevalence in Ixodes scapularis ticks across regions of New Jersey, with a particular focus on Hunterdon County. Her findings found the most prevalent pathogen was Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (human granulocytic anaplasmosis), Babesia microti (Babesia), and Borrelia miyamotoi (Borrelia miyamotoi disease, a relapsing fever-like disease not unlike Lyme disease). Significantly, a quarter of all I. scapularis nymphs and over 50% of adult ticks were infected with at least one of the pathogens. Additionally, she documented the presence of deer tick virus (DTV) in adult ticks from the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. Her research emphasized the need for ongoing tick surveillance, integration of environmental data, and improved species identification to understand better and mitigate tick-borne disease risks.
Zoe's academic journey has been marked by excellence and dedication. She earned her PhD under the mentorship of Dr. Dana Price at Rutgers University's Center for Vector Biology, maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA throughout her graduate studies. Her commitment to scientific inquiry was recognized through three competitive fellowships that funded her research: the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Graduate School Excellence Fellowship (2020), the Rutgers Department of Entomology Thomas J. Headlee Fellowship (2021), and the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) (2022).
Zoe was significantly aided in her research by Dr Andrea Egizi, formerly a Research Scientist at Monmouth County’s Tick-Borne Disease Laboratory and presently a Research Scientist, One Health at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Other members of her thesis committee also mentored her: Dina Fonseca (Chair of Rutgers Department of Entomology), Alvaro Toledo (Asst. Professor, Rutgers Department of Entomology), and Glen Scoles (USDA-ARS).
Beyond her innovative research, Zoe has made significant contributions to the scientific community through her numerous presentations and peer-reviewed publications. She has shared her findings at leading conferences, including the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting and the Mid-Atlantic Tick Summit. Notably, her 2024 presentation, "A Walk in the Park: Assessing the Role of Urbanization in New Jersey's Tick-borne Disease Landscape," earned her first place in the MUVE: Ecology, Vector Biology, and Management Graduate Paper Competition.
Zoe's work extends beyond the lab and conference halls. As a dedicated mentor, she has trained undergraduate researchers through the Aresty Research Assistant Program, guiding them in molecular methodologies and data analysis. Her leadership roles within the Rutgers Graduate Entomology Student Association reflect her commitment to fostering a supportive academic community.
Her research has already had a tangible impact on public health initiatives, including collaborations with the New Jersey Department of Health to enhance tick surveillance programs. Her identification of the invasive Asian longhorned tick's multiple introductions to the United States, published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, has provided crucial insights into emerging vector-borne threats.
As she moves forward, Zoe Narvaez stands poised to continue shaping the future of vector biology and public health. Her successful defense marks the culmination of an exceptional PhD journey, and the beginning of an impactful career dedicated to understanding and mitigating the risks posed by tick-borne diseases. She is planning to take a postdoctoral appointment at the Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Disease, but it is a CDC-funded position, and the future of the funding is uncertain. Alternatively, she may stay in NJ to work at Monmouth County’s Tick Lab. Either way, she hopes to continue working in the field of vector biology and pathogen surveillance.
Congratulations, Dr. Narvaez, on this remarkable achievement!
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