Texas Tech University Center for Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases

Mission

The mission of the TTU Center for Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases (TTU-CVZD) is to protect the animal agriculture, wildlife, and rural-regional communities from endemic and emerging vector-borne and zoonotic disease threats. By adopting a rural-regional One Health concept-based approach, we aim to advance research that develops cutting-edge technologies to detect, prevent, and control the transmission of acute and chronic vector-borne and zoonotic diseases at the human-animal-environment interface.

Vision

TTU-CVZD strives to shape a future where innovative research drives scientific discovery, strengthens disease preparedness, and fosters sustainable solutions to combat vector-borne and zoonotic diseases that threaten animal and public health in rural and agricultural communities across Texas and in Southern Hemisphere regions with shared ecological and agricultural challenges.

Goals

• Foster collaboration within Texas, across regional partners, and with national organizations like USDA and CDC to address challenges associated with vector-borne and zoonotic disease.
• Establish a regional research hub dedicated to detection, monitoring, and control of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, with a focus on unique agricultural and environmental dynamics of the Texas while also leveraging insights for global applications.
• Lead advancements in basic and applied vector-borne and zoonotic disease research through the development of cutting-edge technologies for pathogen discovery, diagnostics, vector ecology, and disease transmission dynamics, with relevance to both regional and global disease control efforts.
• Create training platforms for DVM, MD, PhD, and public health students, equipping the next generation of scientists and practitioners with expertise in One Health and vector-borne disease management at local, regional and international levels.
• Enhance community engagement to increase awareness, preparedness and resilience against vector-borne and zoonotic disease threats in rural and agricultural communities both in Texas and in regions facing similar public health challenges.