As an alumnus of the USF’s College of Public Health, Lucas “Luca” Hicks has built a career focused on improving the health of communities. While his academic focus initially pointed toward medicine, his experiences outside the classroom reshaped his trajectory.

As Hillsborough County faces a record dengue outbreak, USF faculty and students are combining AI powered mapping, mosquito surveillance and public outreach to help predict risks and target interventions.

USF Health experts explain how dengue spreads, symptoms to watch for, how Tampa Bay residents can prevent mosquito bites and what researchers are learning about dengue in Florida.