The Challenge topic

There are two problem statements to this Challenge. Proposals should include responses to one or both of the following questions:

• How might we reduce the health risks that certain species of mosquitoes pose to humans?
• How might we lessen the nuisance factor imposed by urban and invading mosquito populations?

All proposals are required to be socially and environmentally responsible and work towards the benefit of either local or global communities.

Interdisciplinary teamwork is encouraged. It’s a complex challenge so participants are recommended to identify a potential ‘step along the way’ that works to achieving the ultimate outcome of controlling mosquitoes.

Why mosquitoes?

In the warmer months, mosquitoes can be a major annoyance in Australia, and staff and students would love to find ways to reduce their number. In some parts of the world, mosquitoes pose a major health risk as they carry diseases like malaria, dengue and Zika virus. This makes the mosquito the most dangerous animal on the planet. But there are hundreds of species of mosquito and most are neither a nuisance nor a threat to humans, and in fact are an important part of the wetland ecosystem.

Key dates 2021