UM Faces and Spaces: Steve Whyard

Eleanor Coopsammy — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:42 +0000

For this month’s UM Faces and Spaces, we spoke to Steve Whyard, associate dean (research) in the Department of Science, professor of Biological Sciences. He is currently working on studying insect genes to develop novel pesticides that are species-specific–using RNA technology.

The research could have global impacts on mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue and Yellow fever which causes hundreds of thousands of deaths every year.

Watch the video to hear more about the game-changing potential of RNA technology and the research being done right here at UM.

UM Faces & Spaces is a monthly feature showcasing the people and places across UM that are transforming the student experience, advancing innovation in research, driving change and creating a lasting impact here in Manitoba and globally. For more stories go to our YouTube playlist.

CBC News: As temperatures rise, dengue fever infections keep surging around the world

Fiona Odlum — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 18:42:40 +0000

The species can survive year-round when temperatures are warm enough, and females lay their eggs in areas of shallow, stagnant water, which can mean spaces as small as household containers, potted plants, or even a bottle cap.

“Once the mosquito habitat is established, it only takes one or two people to bring the virus into that habitat for the mosquito to [spread it],” said Dr. Amila Heendeniya, a clinical infectious diseases physician at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba.

Read here

UM Todaymosquito – UM Today

UM Faces and Spaces: Steve Whyard

CBC News: As temperatures rise, dengue fever infections keep surging around the world