Elizabeth Dykstra, PhD, MS

Dr. Liz Dykstra is the Public Health Entomologist for the Washington State Department of Health’s Zoonotic Disease Program. After earning her BA in Biology from Luther College, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. Following her Peace Corps service, Dykstra attended Texas A&M University, receiving her MS in Epidemiology and PhD in Entomology.  Upon completion of her doctorate, she was commissioned in the US Navy and served on active duty in Jacksonville, FL, Cairo, Egypt, and Bangor, WA. She continues to serve in the Navy Reserves.

Dykstra is Board Certified in Medical and Veterinary Entomology. As the Public Health Entomologist for the Washington State Dept. of Health, she oversees mosquito, tick, and any other disease vector surveillance efforts for the state. Her scientific interests include the ecology and epidemiology of arthropod disease vectors as well as native pollinator conservation. Dykstra is also an adjunct associate professor in the WSU Entomology Department. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and road-tripping around the Pacific northwest and as well as being an avid genealogist.