Clarke’s Field Science Team: Bridging the Gap Between Innovation & Implementation

Clarke’s Field Science team spearheads the fieldwork and trials conducted to assist with developing, and registering new and existing mosquito control products under EPA and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) regulations, including the launching and post-launch work of new products with customers. 

In conjunction, the team members also facilitate the integration of mosquito control adulticide, larvicides and application equipment with municipalities, abatement districts and research institutions – often helping to troubleshoot and solve unique treatment needs or functions.

Learn more about Clarke’s Field Science team below, including their role at Clarke, areas of research, and in-field specialties.

Yemi Bullen-McClain – Director, Product Innovation and Field Science

Yemi Bullen-McClain has led Clarke’s Product Innovation and Field Science teams for over five years, joining after a lengthy tenure in product chemistry research at SC Johnson, focusing on pest control. Driven by a passion for sustainability, she takes pride in creating and integrating environmentally friendly mosquito control solutions for use in municipal, commercial and residential environments.

Yemi has been integral to developing new products for public health, such as Clarke’s Duet HD, leading research, managing Clarke’s Good Laboratory Practice program and test facility, and working across departments to ensure timely, adoptable deployments into markets. Yemi holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Howard University and operates from Clarke’s headquarters in Illinois.

Derek Drews – Field Sciences Manager

Derek Drews serves as Clarke’s Field Sciences Manager, backed by over fifteen years of experience within Clarke and the pesticide industry. Derek leads a multifaceted team, with concentrations on conducting fieldwork for the registration and development of new and existing products with the EPA under GLP rules, executing emergency action plans for mosquito-related emergencies, and partnering with and educating organizations on proper mosquito control techniques. His enjoyment of researching and contributing to mosquito control practices supports this work.

Derek studied Biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University and works from Clarke’s headquarters in Illinois. He is a member of the American Mosquito Control Association, where he has presented on numerous emerging topics, such as Optimizing Aerial Granule Applications, The Form and Function of Conducting Caged Trials and Wide-Open Thinking On Wide-Area Applications.

Joanna Tyszko – Entomology Manager

Joanna Tyszko is the Entomology Manager for Clarke, bringing over 15 years of experience to Clarke’s insectary and laboratories. In particular, Joanna works closely with the insectary team to research mosquitoes’ ecology, biology and behavior, as well as resistance development and management. This work includes introducing and rearing new resistant species to test the efficacy of mosquito control formulations, MOAs and AIs. 

Joanna received her bachelors in Biology and Chemistry at Dominican University before going on to receive her masters in entomology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Much of her work has been compiled into published research and talks, including Adding and Maintaining Colonies with Known Susceptibility Challenges for Assessing Existing and Developing Products for Resistance Management and Modifying the Standard Topical Bioassay: an Innovative Method for New Modes of Action. Joanna operates in Clarke’s laboratory and insectary in their Illinois headquarters. 

Andrew Rivera – Senior Field Biologist, West

Andrew Rivera serves as Clarke’s Senior Field Biologist, backed by past field experience with the County of San Diego as a Vector Control and Surveillance Technician. Within the Field Science team, Andrew conducts field and laboratory experiments, coordinates adulticide and larvicide field trials for customers and researches and reports on these findings. In addition, he specializes in optimizing product dispersal equipment on customer helicopters, fixed-wing airplanes, trucks and manual backpacks.

Andrew brings a valuable perspective to any mosquito program due to his interest in using technology and equipment within entomology and mosquito control. 

He contributes to ongoing mosquito control research, with talks on Uses of the Buffalo Turbine in Mosquito Control, Making the Most of Your Bioassay, Efficacy of the Organic Adulticide, Merus 3.0, When Applied Aerially, and Sandular: Natular SC Mixed onto Sand as a Single-Brood. In addition to holding certifications in Adult and Larval Mosquito Identification, pesticide regulation, application and control, Andrew is a member of the American Mosquito Control Association, the Entomological Society of America, and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California. Andrew earned a BS in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology from San Diego State University, where he now guest lectures within their biology department.

Kattie Morris – Regional Field Science Supervisor, FL

Kattie Morris serves as our Regional Field Sciences supervisor for the Florida region, where she leads and supports two associate biologists. In addition to her supervisor role, she also provides technical expertise to our customers in the US’s Florida, East and South regions. When she is not supporting customers, she leads the Field Science team as the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) study director and Principal investigator for new product GLP studies. 

Kattie has been in the industry for six years and has contributed numerous presentations to regional and national meetings on topics including Keeping Mosquito Control Relevant: Emerging Tools of the Trade, Innovating the Field Trial, and What It Means to Optimize a New Product for Operational Use. Kattie Morris holds a BS in Biology from Elmhurst University and an MS in Biological Sciences from DePaul University and operates out of Clarke’s headquarters in Illinois.

Victoria Hyrczyk – Associate Field Biologist

Victoria earned a BS in Environmental Science and Biology from Bradley University, where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant and conducted independent research in entomology. She now collaborates with customers throughout Clarke’s Florida region on field trials, product adoption, and implementation.

Much of her work focuses on improving field trials, with research including Optimizing Wide Area Applications with Air Blast Equipment and Mobile Insectaries.

Madeleine “Maddie” Schmitz – Associate Field Biologist

Maddie Schmitz collaborates with Clarke’s southeast clients, organizing field trials to test and register new mosquito control products. As part of this, she works to develop novel protocols and methodologies for mosquito control by conducting bioassays and product efficacy tests to understand behavior by species better.

Maddie also specializes in research, backed by studies focused on documenting variable effects on wildlife behavior – such as in one project, Anthropogenic Changes: Impact on Wildlife Living in Florida Marshes. She also holds a Good Laboratory Practice Standards certificate and is a licensed Pest Control Applicator. Maddie has a BS in Biology focusing on Zoology and Marine Biology from the University of Central Florida.

Mackenzie Wilson – Associate Field Biologist

Mackenzie Wilson partners with Clarke’s west coast clients, coordinating and conducting field trials for mosquito districts tailored to best fit their regional requirements. In addition to these experiments, she supports the testing and evaluation of new pesticide formulations for EPA approval.

Mackenzie brings a wealth of knowledge in educating and working with communities and organizations, such as her experience leading WILDCOAST’s Marine Protected Area Outreach program. She is driven by her desire to incorporate conservation and sustainability within public health. She holds a BS in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University and operates throughout Clarke’s western regional offices.  

Thomas “Tommy” Pemrick – Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Scientist, Tommy Pemrick assists Clarke’s field science and product development teams in conducting field trials for the screening, efficacy-proving and optimization of formulations. In particular, he tests larvicide prototypes and innovations in field testing techniques, equipment and technology.

Tommy started working at Clarke as a field inspection technician, followed by an internship in Clarke’s surveillance lab, collecting, identifying, and testing mosquito samples for West Nile Virus. Shortly after, he accepted a position as an associate biologist before ultimately progressing to his current role as an environmental scientist. Tommy holds a BS in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies from Iowa State University and operates out of Clarke’s Illinois headquarters.