DEC 16, 2025
10AM – 3PM
Willa Cather Dining Complex, Red Willow Room
530 N 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68588 (City Campus)
Hybrid option available. Please register for this event and a Zoom link will be shared with you via email.
About the Meeting
The Nebraska Tick Network (NTN) brings together researchers, public health professionals, veterinarians, Extension educators, land managers, agency partners, and community members to coordinate statewide efforts in tick surveillance, tick-borne disease education, and One Health outreach.
This annual meeting provides an opportunity to:
- Share updates and lightning talks on ongoing and emerging projects
- Discuss challenges and opportunities in tick and tick-borne disease work
- Build collaborations across institutions and sectors
- Explore priorities for the upcoming tick season
- Engage new and returning partners interested in One Health–focused work
Who should attend?
Anyone with interest in ticks, vector-borne disease, community health, animal health, or One Health is welcome to attend. This meeting is ideal for:
- Public health officials
- Medical and veterinary professionals
- Wildlife and natural resource managers
- Researchers and students
- Extension educators and county agents
- Outdoor recreation, parks, and conservation staff
- Educators and outreach specialists
- Community scientists and citizen science groups
- Anyone interested in ticks, tick-borne diseases, or One Health
The event is designed to support multi-institutional collaboration, welcome new participants, and create practical, actionable pathways for improving tick awareness and tick-borne disease prevention across the state.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:15 AM | Opening and Welcome
Overview of purpose and structure
Louise Lynch-O'Brien, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Remarks from VCR Offices or University Leadership
Speaker TBD
10:15 – 11:30 AM | Flash Talks
Short presentations (approx. 5 minutes each) from speakers
2025 DHHS Tick Surveillance Update
Halie Smith
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
2025 DHHS Alpha-gal Surveillance Update
Tyler Mucha
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Locally acquired human Anaplasmosis infection due to Anaplasma bovis in Nebraska resident
Jeff Hamik
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Ticks Surveillance in Southwest Nebraska: A One Health Approach
Marnee Roundtree
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
Phylogenetics of Heartland virus in Nebraska
Kaylee Herzog
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Population genomics of Ixodes scapularis in Nebraska
Roberto Cortiñas1, Zach Pella2, Joseph Fauver2
1 University of Nebraska–Lincoln
2 University of Nebraska Medical Center
Association of vector infection rates with human disease in Nebraska
Sarah Uhm
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Nebraska Tick Testing (NeTT) Program
Alex Welch and Shaun Cross
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Tick Safety Essentials Digital Badge
Louise Lynch-O'Brien
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
11:30 – 11:45 AM | Bio Break / Resource Tables and Mini Consultation Boards
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Discussion Session 1: Surveillance and Screening Coordination
Tick and Pathogen Surveillance
Data Sharing and Visualization updates
(2 topics combined)
Reporting Out from Discussion 1
Each table/group shares top findings (~5 min. per table)
12:30 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:45 PM | Additional Discussion Sessions 2-4
Each topic will be discussed in breakout groups/tables for ~30 min. with 5-10 min. reporting at the end of each session
Session 2: Public Health and Community Education
Session 3: Veterinary and Companion
Animal, Wildlife, Agricultural Issues (with flexible breakout groups)
Bio Break (2:00 - 2:15)
Session 4: Collaborative Opportunities for 2025-2026
2:45 – 2:55 PM | Collaborative/Project Work Time
Open networking and project planning
Opportunity to meet with potential collaborators or follow up on new initiatives
2:55–3:00 PM | Closing and Wrap-up
Final comments
Plans for follow-up, sharing findings, next steps, and adjournment
Registration Required
Lunch will be provided for all in-person attendees. Please RSVP to help us accurately plan food and seating.
- Presenters do not need to RSVP—your information is already recorded.
- Indicate whether you plan to attend in person, virtually, or not attending.
- A direct link is available in the spreadsheet to share dietary or accessibility needs.
- Students involved in tick or public health projects (undergraduate or graduate) are welcome to attend.
The event planning registration spreadsheet includes three tabs:
RSVP (Attendance)- For non-presenters to indicate in-person or virtual attendance.
Lightning Talks & Updates- For submitting a lightning talk proposal or sharing a brief written update if unable to attend.
Challenges, Ideas & Discussion Topics- For suggesting discussion topics or highlighting challenges, opportunities, or questions you’d like addressed during the meeting.
New ideas are encouraged, and the agenda will evolve based on submitted topics.
Parking
Attendees may use:
- A-Lot parking directly next to Willa Cather Dining Complex
- Metered parking in the surrounding area
- Handicapped parking near the main entrance
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln - Interactive Parking Map
Nearby public garages (10–15 minute walk):
- Que Place Garage
- Larson Garage
- University Square Garage
Want more ways to stay connected with the Nebraska Tick Network? Join the NTN listserv!
Join the statewide Nebraska Tick Network channel for sharing tick and tick-borne disease updates, resources, and opportunities, and for supporting networking and collaboration among researchers, clinicians, veterinarians, public health staff, educators, agencies, students, and other partners working on ticks and One Health across Nebraska.