UC Davis doctoral candidate Carla-Cristina “CC” Edwards won a $1,000 award on Mar. 16 in the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Little Bang! Pitch Plus Poster Competition for her proposal to market a mosquito spray as a cosmetic product.
The competition aims to help students turn early-stage ideas into practical solutions, encouraging innovation and clear communication. Edwards’ project, called Mossé, seeks to create a non-greasy mosquito repellent with a lightweight fragrance that can be marketed within the cosmetics industry.
“My project, Mossé, focuses on a novel mosquito control concept and its potential real-world public health application,” Edwards said. “I’m still in the process of developing and protecting some aspects of the idea, so I’m keeping the technical details fairly high-level for now. But overall, the work highlights a new approach to improving protection against mosquitoes and the diseases they can spread.”
Edwards explained that participating in Little Bang! allowed her to network with mentors in the cosmetic sector and refine her approach through interviews with potential users. She said, “Participating in Little Bang! was a valuable experience that strengthened my ability to communicate research beyond academia, think entrepreneurially, and consider how my work can create broader societal benefit.”
UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal commented on Edwards’ efforts: “There is a clear demand for better, more user-friendly repellents, and by exploring this niche, CC is also increasing public awareness of the need for protection against mosquitoes and ticks.” Geoffrey Attardo from UC Davis added that insecticide resistance is an ongoing challenge: “Her proposed product leverages the huge existing market for skin care products to facilitate public health benefits.”
Edwards’ research focuses on pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. She has received several fellowships and awards supporting her work. In addition to her academic pursuits, she serves as vice president of the Entomology Graduate Student Association at UC Davis and chairs Young Professionals at the American Mosquito Control Association.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), which supports programs like those at UC Davis through public contributions according to its official website, promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website. The organization operates nine research centers representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to its official website and manages Cooperative Extension services as part of the University of California system according to its official website. Each year it conducts over 33,800 educational events with more than 18,400 volunteers according to its official website, delivering science-based information through workshops and partnerships across all 58 counties according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Edwards will compete in the upcoming UC Davis Big Bang! Competition where nearly $100,000 in prizes will be awarded.
