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Patrick Heffernan

@pmheffernan

Vector-borne disease ecologist | PhD Candidate at Notre Dame | NIH F31 Research Fellow |🦟|✍️|β˜•οΈ https://medium.com/@pmheffernan https://heffernanp.substack.com/

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20.11.2024
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Latest posts by Patrick Heffernan @pmheffernan

β€œFor the first time, governments and the public can see how serious dengue is in different parts of the world.” Oliver Brady, Professor of Spatial Epidemiology, LSHTM

β€œFor the first time, governments and the public can see how serious dengue is in different parts of the world.” Oliver Brady, Professor of Spatial Epidemiology, LSHTM

πŸ“’ 1st global β€œearly warning system” for #dengue launches

New online dashboard gives governments & the public a real-time picture of global dengue situation for the first time.

#PublicHealth

www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...

04.03.2026 09:50 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2
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From the library of George B. Craig, Jr. Reflections from 30 years onward

30 years ago today, the world of vector biology lost George B. Craig, Jr., a leading expert on Aedes mosquitoes. At Notre Dame, I’m lucky enough to work in his insectaries and care for his books. Here are some of my reflections on his legacy that I’ve had here.
open.substack.com/pub/hefferna...

21.12.2025 14:58 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Loved Eric Ochomo’s call to action during the George B. Craig memorial lecture! Fighting vector-borne disease requires united, integrated, and bold actions now more than ever.

15.11.2025 19:38 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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A Disease-Carrying Mosquito Has Landed in the Rocky Mountains Where It Historically Couldn’t Survive - Inside Climate News The Aedes aegypti mosquito that can carry dengue was thought to be too reliant on a hot and wet climate to survive in the Mountain West. But now, a population is thriving in Western Colorado.

insideclimatenews.org/news/1011202...

12.11.2025 15:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Had a blast presenting at and attending #PHAM2025!

09.10.2025 15:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’m incredibly grateful to be funded through the NIH. Because of their support, I’m able to conduct research that helps fight mosquito-borne disease. The NIH funds countless researchers dedicated to helping improve human lives, and I hope they continue to give us that opportunity

16.08.2025 20:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Had so much fun with @rohrecologylab.bsky.social at #ESA2025! Can’t wait to be back

15.08.2025 12:16 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Just got to present @eselland.bsky.social and I’s
Schistosomiasis lab project at ESA!

While I primarily work with mosquitoes now, learning about Schistosomiasis in undergrad parasitology was what convinced me to become a disease ecologist. Such a cool full circle moment for me!

12.08.2025 16:43 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Such a treat to get to see in person! It feels great to cross seeing a cicada-killer hunt off my entomology bucket list βœ”οΈ

05.08.2025 13:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The cicada-killer wasp had just stung the cicada and was waiting for paralysis to fully kick in. It will then carry the cicada back to its burrow where it will lay its eggs, and the cicada’s body will serve as food for the hatching larvae

05.08.2025 13:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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While out walking, this pair of insects fell from the tree canopy and landed right in front of me!

05.08.2025 13:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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I’m normally an Aedes guy, but I had a blast learning how to do Anopheles midgut and salivary gland dissections today with members of the @aacostaserrano.bsky.social lab today! They’re the best!

01.08.2025 20:57 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Another historic botanical garden in Varenna, Castello di Vezio, maintains artificial mini ponds full of mosquito predators as a means of ecological control. Very fun to see in action (and full of adorable snails, fish, and aquatic inverts)

26.06.2025 17:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Took a brief break from honeymooning to identify hundreds of Aedes albopictus larvae in a standing water basin at Villa Monastero in Varenna, Italy. Remember to drain or dump standing water!

26.06.2025 17:47 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Working on this project with @eselland.bsky.social and @rohrecologylab.bsky.social has been incredibly rewarding! Can’t wait to present on it further at ESA this fall 🐌

21.06.2025 14:08 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Thanks to everyone at @eeid2025.bsky.social for listening to me present our work yesterday on #schistosomiasis transmission across two ecological gradients! 🐌πŸͺ± Excited to see how this project continues to take shape with @pmheffernan.bsky.social and the @rohrecologylab.bsky.social crew!

20.06.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Turtles are out and rhododendrons in full bloom. Finally beginning to feel like a lovely summer πŸ’β˜€οΈπŸ˜

26.05.2025 19:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you @eselland.bsky.social and @scipolnotredame.bsky.social for organizing such a wonderful event! It was inspiring to be a part of a coalition of PhD students across Indiana advocating for research in our state

03.03.2025 22:07 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What an amazing day discussing my field with legislators at the state capitol! I focused my presentation on how and why the thermal performance of vectors and pathogens should inform interventions and control strategies against mosquito-borne diseases across Indiana 🦟

03.03.2025 22:07 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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08.01.2025 00:50 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Loving these rainy days in the PNW πŸ˜„

05.01.2025 17:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Model Evaluation: An Adequacy-for-Purpose View | Philosophy of Science | Cambridge Core Model Evaluation: An Adequacy-for-Purpose View - Volume 87 Issue 3

I really enjoyed Wendy S. Parker’s exploration of the adequacy-for-purpose view of assessing models. Determining if models are a solution in their problem space (target, user, methodology, circumstances, and purpose) is an excellent exercise for crafting holistic and purposeful science

17.12.2024 17:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0