Harvey, IL — January 13, 2026 — The South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District (SCCMAD) is pleased to welcome Rebecca Smith, DVM, PhD, an infectious disease epidemiologist, to the District’s team. Dr. Smith will work with SCCMAD through CDC-supported efforts in partnership with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, strengthening the District’s mosquito and vector-borne disease surveillance and control programs.
Dr. Smith officially began working with SCCMAD on January 12, 2026, contributing her expertise through the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases. Her work with the District is supported through CDC-funded initiatives and focuses on advancing data-driven mosquito and vector control strategies.
Dr. Smith specializes in infectious disease modeling to predict control program efficacy. She is particularly interested in the potential interactions between multiple diseases within the same population—an area highly applicable to mosquito- and tick-borne diseases. Her role includes translating predictive models for vector-borne diseases into actionable recommendations that support optimal control of both vectors and diseases.
As an investigator with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Dr. Smith’s work focuses on surveillance, modeling, and forecasting of West Nile virus and tick-borne diseases, supporting public health agencies in responding to emerging and ongoing vector-related risks.
Dr. Smith earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and PhD in Epidemiology from Cornell University, as well as a Master of Science in Biosecurity and Risk Analysis from Kansas State University.
With Dr. Smith joining the team, SCCMAD continues to strengthen its scientific partnerships and enhance its capacity to protect public health and improve the effectiveness of mosquito control programs throughout South Cook County.
About the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District
The South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District is dedicated to protecting public health and improving quality of life through comprehensive mosquito surveillance, control, and public education programs serving communities across South Cook County.