My Journey from the Mountains to Mosquitoes and Beyond 

I (Amy Solis) was born and raised in Jane Lew, West Virginia. I grew up learning early lessons about hard work, stewardship, and resilience. Much of my childhood was spent outdoors, mowing, gardening, exploring the woods, and spending summers at our family camp riding four-wheelers, finding salamanders in the creeks, and hunting and fishing with my dad. My mom taught me to bake, a hobby I still enjoy and look forward to sharing with colleagues. Those formative outdoor experiences planted the seed for a career grounded in science, nature, and service.

I’ve always had a heart for animals. Living near a highway that became an unofficial “drop‑off” spot for strays, my siblings and I adopted as many dogs as our parents would allow. Our household also included a spirited Shetland pony named Princess. These experiences fueled an early dream of becoming an equine veterinarian for the Kentucky Derby. Ambitious, but a girl can dream! 

While pursuing a biology degree at Shepherd College, I completed a student internship at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Leetown Science Center, studying bacterial pathogens in freshwater fisheries. This hands‑on experience introduced me to applied research and fieldwork with wildlife. I also learned to fly fish in the spring‑fed ponds where we released healthy fish, ending many long workdays with a freshly caught rainbow trout for dinner. 

After graduating, I was still figuring out my path. Shadowing my sister at her laboratory in Fort Detrick, Maryland, helped clarify one thing quickly: I didn’t want to spend my career at a laboratory hood. Knowing I belonged outdoors, I enrolled at West Virginia University and earned a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management. 

That degree opened the door to pursuing an M.S. through a multi‑faceted research project focused on developing wildlife management plans for Camp Dawson, an Army National Guard training facility in Preston County, West Virginia. My research documented herpetofaunal species composition and abundance across diverse habitats using pitfall traps. Installing 180 five‑gallon buckets in rocky, forested Appalachian terrain, and later removing every single one, was physically demanding, but it reinforced my appreciation for applied science that directly informs management decisions. 

After graduation, I moved to Florida, and spent the next 23 years tackling the challenge of controlling the world’s deadliest animal: the mosquito. 

Working across both private and government sectors, I developed a true passion for public health education, arbovirus surveillance, field operations management, and training applicators in mosquito control and aquatic plant management. Translating science into practical, real‑world solutions became the most rewarding part of my work. 

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my husband, Carlos. In our 20 years together, our adventures have taken us to 40 states, Puerto Rico, three Canadian provinces, and all seven Central American countries. Most weekends, you’ll find us outdoors with our two dogs, Sadie and Lincoln, or exploring Jeep trails in the Citrus Wildlife Management Area or Ocala National Forest. I’ve always believed that God’s timing places us exactly where we need to be. Combined with my commitment to public health and education, that belief ultimately led me to the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office.

2