Riffell Lab, University of Washington

Thanks to Hannah Thomasy of Yale School of the Environment for writing this:

Humans Are Changing How Nature Smells, With Risks for Wildlife A growing body of research shows how air pollution, fertilizers, and fungicides are altering the chemical signals that plants and animals use to communicate. Scientists warn that insect reproduction, foraging, navigation, and even the pollination of crops could be affected.

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/mosquito-research-in-washington-could-help-improve-future-repellents/article_a9bc0248-ea53-56f2-922d-4f84e3fdf368.html?mode=nowapp

Mosquito research in Washington could help improve future repellents University of Washington researchers identified a mosquito antenna receptor that detects borneol, a natural repellent, paving the way for improved mosquito repellents as mosquito populations and their resistance to insecticides

Austin American-Statesman

Texas reports first West Nile virus case of 2026. How to avoid mosquito bites Texas reported its first West Nile case of 2026. Here are symptoms, mosquito bite prevention tips and what Austin residents should know.

https://www.huck.psu.edu/graduate-programs/training-grants/event/the-neural-bases-of-mosquito-host-and-flower-interactions

Event: the neural bases of mosquito host and flower interactions - The Huck Institutes (en-US) Collaborative Discovery Brought to Life

"In terms of efficacy, DEET is “the best thing to prevent biting,” said Jeff Riffell, an endowed professor in biology at the University of Washington."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/05/05/experts-mosquito-bite-prevention/

https://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/article315589852.html

Are You a Mosquito Magnet? The Surprising Reasons Mosquitoes Target Certain People “If you are very attractive and they bite you and drink your blood, they will then go back to you.”

Day 2 of UW Engineering Discovery Days starts in a few hours!

2026 is off to an incredible start!🌟

Earlier today, hundreds of students in grades 4-8 from dozens of schools across Washington came to the University of Washington campus to learn, play and get inspired about engineering. Students wrote secret spy messages, coded their own video games with Microsoft and even tried to walk on water.

Get ready for even more tomorrow! 🔬

📸 - Mark Stone

Save the Date: UW Biology Open House
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
10 AM - 2 PM
UW Life Sciences Building
Science enthusiasts of all ages are welcome to join us for this free, hands-on event. The UW Department of Biology is a large, collaborative and integrative department—our research and teaching span fields from cellular and molecular biology to global climate change and paleontology. This is a chance to meet the scientists and learn about the exciting work happening in our department! Our UW Biology Greenhouse will also be open to visitors!

Biology Open House | Department of Biology | University of Washington UW Biology Presents: Biology Open HouseSaturday, May 16th, 202610 AM - 2 PMUW Life Sciences Building3747 W Stevens Wy NEFun activities for all ages!

*Full Course Description: https://fhl.uw.edu/courses/course-descriptions/course/pelagic-ecosystem-function-of-the-san-juan-archipelago-2026/
*Apply Here: https://fhl.uw.edu/courses/applying-for-an-fhl-course/
*Rolling application review – apply while space allows

For those of you who live or spend time in these islands, you may have noticed the dramatic decline in our seastar population over the last several years. Join us for this free public talk to learn more about what FHL scientists have done to help an endangered seastar species recover as well as the discovery of the causative agent of the devastating seastar wasting disease.
More info here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVgwkQPAVAwc3u_5w7980-AOwsr1QjlTqC4KS9DOebx662Rg/viewform