June 10^th 2026

Summer brings replenishment: busy bees, singing sparrows, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the canopy. The season often feels carefree and full of promise – until that familiar high-pitched “eeeee” starts circling your ear. One moment you’re enjoying the outdoors; the next, you’re scratching your arm and swatting at the air.

Mosquitoes. Our ancient sworn enemy.

But for Krista Kueviakoe, a Master’s student at McGill and Gault Research Award recipient, mosquitoes are more than a summer nuisance – they’re a scientific challenge. Krista is investigating how mosquito populations move and evolve across landscapes and what their presence could tell us about emerging disease risks in Canada.

Mosquito research at Gault

At Gault, Krista is evaluating a variety of trapping and identification methods to monitor mosquito activity across different environments and seasons. While expert visual identification remains the standard, she’s also exploring the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) – a technique that analyses water samples for traces of mosquito DNA.

This innovative approach allows researchers to detect species that may otherwise be missed through traditional trapping. And its potential goes beyond the lab. Because eDNA sampling is relatively simple, it could one day power community-based science, helping the public track mosquito biodiversity.

Why mosquitoes matter

So why do mosquitoes attract so much research attention in the first place? Mosquitoes are a major focus of research not because they’re annoying, but because they’re powerful vectors of disease and reproduce at astonishing rates. Their short life cycles and high genetic variability make them ideal subjects for genomics research, while their ability to carry and transmit zoonotic disease – those that jump from animals to humans – makes them a global public health concern.

Some of the most well-known mosquito-borne diseases include: malaria, West Nile virus, dengue and yellow fever. While these diseases aren’t typically endemic to Canada, rare cases have been recorded. And with climate change accelerating, disease-carrying species and the diseases themselves are expanding northward.

For example, West Nile virus has become increasingly common in Ontario, with seasonal outbreaks now occurring in summer and late fall. The increase in global tourism also contributes to spread, introducing new mosquito species and viruses into previously unaffected regions.

That’s why research like Krista’s is so critical. By understanding which mosquito species are present and where they are located, scientists can help predict where vector-borne diseases may emerge next.

Looking ahead

Our collective frustration with mosquitoes is valid. They’re itchy, irritating, and, in some cases, dangerous. But this story isn’t meant to inspire fear – it’s meant to highlight how advances in technology, ecology, and citizen engagement can help us prepare for and respond to ecological and health challenges.

Thanks to researchers like Krista Kueviakoe and technologies like eDNA and collaborative monitoring efforts, we’re better equipped than ever to understand and manage the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, even in places where we least expect them.

About the researcher

Krista Kueviakoe is a Master’s student in Geography at McGill University, under the supervision of Mette Bendixen, assistant professor in the Department of Geography, and Lars Iversen, assistant professor in the Department of Biology. She holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Biology and conducts interdisciplinary research exploring the links between human activities and mosquito presence.

Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Krista is also an avid reader and the founder of the UTM Book Discovery book club. She hopes her research will contribute to improving human well-being at both local and broader scales.

Sarah Taciani
Field Operations Assistant in 2025
Gault Nature Reserve

Header: A Culex mosquito (foreground) and a transmission electron micrograph showing West Nile virus particles. Culex mosquitoes are main vectors associated with the transmission of West Nile virus. Credit: NIAID, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

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