Exhibit showcases the work of UNLV researchers, and invites local communities to collaborate to combat global health threats.
Las Vegas – The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Public Health’s Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, will open a new exhibition which highlights ongoing scientific research in vector-borne diseases in Nevada and across the globe. This exhibit opens to the public on September 14, 2024, and will run through the end of year.
To launch the exhibit, the Nevada State Museum – located inside the Springs Preserve – will host an event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 14. The public will have the opportunity to interact with the active scientists, members of the UNLV PARAVEC lab will be on-site to answer questions and interact with visitors. Museum guests can interact with live insects and view a selection of animals from the Nevada State Museum’s Las Vegas entomological research collection. Members of any Nevada State Museum or Springs members are free. All others may buy a general admission ticket for entry.
The exhibition showcases the vital role citizen scientists and medical entomologists at UNLV play in advancing research and public health initiatives related to the control and surveillance of invasive mosquito species and vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, Chagas disease, and malaria.
“We have seen a rise in diseases like West Nile both locally and globally. There are easy ways to prevent these illnesses. Still, it requires education and understanding from the affected communities,” said Louisa Messenger, assistant professor at the UNLV School of Public Health. “ We are excited for this opportunity to share our research at the Nevada State Museum and invite the public to learn more and truly collaborate with us in combating illness.”
Through poster boards, pinned specimens, and an interactive display, museum visitors will explore how local communities in Nevada and beyond are contributing to real-world scientific discoveries. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the importance of community involvement in scientific endeavors and inspire future generations to actively participate in science and public health in Nevada and worldwide.
“One of the goals in initiating this collaboration was to help visitors to the Nevada State Museum become more familiar with the cutting-edge scientific research being done in Southern Nevada,” said Richard Gawne, entomologist and curator of natural history at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. “Medical entomology, in particular, was a topic of interest because it highlights the work that local researchers are doing to protect the community from diseases”
Exhibition Details:
Exhibit Launch Event: September 14, 2024 from 1-3 p.m.
Location: Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, 309 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89107 (on the campus of the Springs Preserve)
Admission: Admission is paid via the Springs Preserve or free to museum and reserve members.
Nevada resident: $9.95 adults, $4.95 children (ages 3-17)
Visitor/non-resident: $18.95 adults, $10.95 children (ages 3-17)
Free for children ages 2 and under. Senior and military discounts available by request at the ticketing office with valid ID.
More information or to buy tickets online visit the Springs Preserve website.
Regular Museum Hours: Thursday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: Francine Burge, Marketing & Communications Manager
State of Nevada Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs
775-230-5258 fburge@dtca.nv.gov
About the Nevada State Museum: Founded in 1982, the mission of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, serves to educate a diverse public about the cultural history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. For more information, visit lasvegasnvmuseum.org
About UNLV School of Public Health: The UNLV School of Public Health was established in 2004 with the goal of improving the health and well-being of people worldwide. Twenty years later, its departments, programs, and research units are growing and still working to provide a diverse education, practical training experience, and numerous community involvement opportunities to prepare students to become leaders and professionals in the field of Public Health. Learn more at unlv.edu/publichealth.