For Babatunji Daramola, pest management is a public health issue that affects people’s homes, comfort, livelihoods, and safety. A graduate research assistant in the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Daramola studies the intersection of urban pest management and public health. His master’s thesis focuses on the “Prevalence and Ecological Drivers of Rattus norvegicus (Norway Rat) Ectoparasites in Urban Residential Buildings.” The project examines the prevalence, diversity, and distribution of ectoparasites associated with Norway rats in New York City.
He is interested in a practical public health question; what risks are associated with brown rats in urban residential units, and how can this information be used to inform public health and pest management strategies that protect and improve people’s lives? “Brown rats and their ectoparasites can carry pathogens that pose risks to human health,” Daramola said. “By identifying which ectoparasites are present, where they occur, and how prevalent they are, my research helps inform more targeted public health and integrated pest management strategies.”
His findings may help housing authorities, pest management professionals, and public health agencies strengthen surveillance, improve intervention programs, and educate communities about urban pest-related risks. Daramola’s work also includes insecticide efficacy studies on bat bugs and bed bugs. This research supports pest management professionals by providing evidence-based information that can improve control measures for some of the most persistent structural pests in residential environments.
“Understanding how they respond to different insecticides helps pest management professionals select more effective treatments and reduce control failures,” he said.
Daramola’s path to Rutgers began with professional experience in Nigeria’s in-home pest control industry, where he worked in research and product development. That experience showed him how pest infestations can affect daily life, especially in densely populated urban areas.
“I saw firsthand how pest infestations affect people’s health, comfort, and livelihoods,” he said, “and how applied research and product innovation could help alleviate some of these burdens.”
That early professional experience led him to pursue advanced training in urban entomology. Rutgers became the right place for that next step because of its applied research strengths and leadership in urban pest management. The opportunity to work with Changlu Wang, a professor in the Department of Entomology whose research closely aligned with Daramola’s interests, made Rutgers an ideal place for his graduate training.
His work has already earned external recognition. Daramola received the Pest Management Foundation Scholarship, a national award recognizing outstanding students in accredited entomology programs at U.S. colleges and universities. He was also honored this May with the Pi Chi Omega R. Randall Rollins Memorial Scholarship.
“Receiving the Pest Management Foundation Scholarship is a meaningful recognition of my work and professional goals,” Daramola said. “It affirms my commitment to building a career in urban pest management and public health entomology.” The scholarship, he said, supports his professional development by helping cover licensing, certification, and other career preparation costs. It also motivates him to continue contributing to the field through research, outreach, and mentorship.
Daramola is now completing his thesis research at Rutgers. The first part of his project has been submitted for publication, and he is working on the second part. He is scheduled to defend his thesis in July. After graduation, Daramola will join the Faculty of Veterinary Medical Sciences at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, where he will pursue a doctoral degree. His doctoral research will focus on Canadian invasive mosquitoes, including Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens. He plans to develop tools for more efficient identification, building on existing work in the lab, while also studying vector competence, insecticide resistance, and vectorial capacity to support regional risk assessments.
For other graduate students, Daramola encourages building a professional profile through experiences beyond the classroom and laboratory.
“I would encourage graduate students to actively seek opportunities beyond the classroom and laboratory,” he said. “Present your work at conferences, volunteer in outreach events, and connect with professionals in your field.” Those experiences, he said, help students strengthen their CVs while also learning how their research connects to real-world needs.
“Most importantly,” he said, “stay curious, be consistent, and build relationships with mentors and peers who can support your growth.”
For Daramola, that combination of curiosity, applied research, and public health purpose has shaped his Rutgers experience and will guide the next stage of his work. From studying Norway rats in urban residential buildings to preparing for doctoral research on invasive mosquitoes in Canada, he is building a career focused on science that responds to real problems and improves lives.