Esteve-Gassent Collaborates with Eagle Scout on Texas Tick Research

February 28, 2017

Eagle Scout Michael Kinsey is collaborating with Dr. Maria D. Esteve-Gassent, assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), to perform a statewide tick drag to support her research as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Kinsey initiated the project after hearing about Esteve-Gassent’s research to map the presence of ticks in Texas and to test for pathogens the ticks may be carrying, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

As part of the project, Boy Scouts across the state are conducting tick drags and sending their samples to Esteve-Gassent’s lab for testing. In the process of collecting samples, Boy Scout troops will learn how to avoid tick bites at campground sites.

Though Kinsey has suffered from Lyme disease for six years, he has learned to overcome the challenges associated with this disease. He hopes this project will accelerate Esteve-Gassent’s research and positively impact human and veterinary medicine regarding diseases spread by ticks.

Kinsey’s Eagle Scout project ends April 2017. To learn more about this project, or to help or donate, visit tickdrag.com.

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