About the Center
Protecting Communities. Advancing Science.
Founded in 2017, the UTRGV Center for Vector-Borne, Zoonotic, and Emerging Diseases (CVBZED) leads research, education, and outreach to tackle diseases spread by insects and other vectors. Located in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV)—a hotspot for Chagas, dengue, Zika, and flea-borne typhus—our work focuses on understanding how these diseases spread and how to prevent them.
Our multidisciplinary team from Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and the School of Medicine drives innovation through collaborative research, grants, and cutting-edge studies.
We offer student programs, including certificates and internships, to train the next generation of scientists and public health leaders. Through community engagement, we provide tools and knowledge that help protect families and communities from vector-borne diseases.
Discover our research. Explore educational opportunities. Join our mission to prevent disease.