Daniel Gaines is a senior philosophy major at Clark University, and rising graduate student in the Masters of Public Administration program. Growing up on Martha’s Vineyard, Daniel witnessed the toll that the Lyme Disease endemic has taken on the Cape and Islands. Seeing his community endure the afflicting effects of Lyme Disease first hand, Daniel directed his academic and research interests towards public health. More precise topics that Daniel has studied throughout his undergraduate years include baseline exposure to the natural sciences, medical and environmental ethics, international relations theory, and ancient/contemporary philosophy. Outside of his classes, Daniel conducted research on organic and non-environmentally destructive alternatives to chemical pesticides for tick control. Martha’s Vineyard prides itself as an environmentally pristine location, and hence many residents do not use chemical pesticides on their properties, increasing their risk of exposure to tick-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease. After three years of work, Daniel investigated and confirmed that an organic dust made from fossilized diatoms known as Diatomaceous Earth was capable of killing ticks, and he plans on submitting his results to the Journal of Medical Entomology. Outside of academics and research, Daniel enjoys nature and real estate videography, and is a licensed drone pilot.