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Vector Trap was created for those who are intrigued by the world around us, excited by new discoveries, and who
just want to have fun while engaging in game play. It's a great way to share time with family and friends while
gaining insights into things that can help us and things that can hurt us. They are everywhere, some obvious and
others not so obvious.
I first thought about such a game when my son was a child. I lamented that there were far too few games that combined
interactive time with useful information. But my idea to invent such a game did not come until years later - after I
had completed medical school, medical training, and had served in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
Epidemic Intelligence Service. For the first time, I came face to face with investigations of disease outbreaks while
interfacing with the respective communities. I was struck by the fact that there was a sincere interest in science -
and a strong one at that - by the lay public. Many, however, did not know where to turn for dependable information.
Several years later, while employed as medical director of a primary care center, I began to work on the game. The project
continued, or perhaps I should say "floundered" through several years of game reiterations, sputtering interest by its
creator, and a name change to the current title, Vector Trap. It wasn't until I decided to head west and pursue a
graduate education in journalism that my interest in this endeavor was rekindled.
I spent 2 years in the Masters program of Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The freedom of writing about diverse topics and the training to communicate this to the public was exhilarating. And yes,
I dusted off my notes and half-baked game idea and tried to revive it once more.
But then came a once-in-a-career opportunity of working on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. With an
itinerary of year-round travel and relocation to a new site every 6 weeks, my free time was consumed by visiting nature
centers and museums, marveling at unique architecture, and a myriad of other things. Vector Trap once again was put on a
back burner.
Until, that is, my team reached central Colorado. It was there that I met my husband, my other half, the engine that
reinvigorated the game and took it to fruition. With a background and college degree (BS) in science from Florida State
University and entrepreneurial experience with business startups and website development and publishing, Monty took the
bare bones project and reformulated the scientific information and game board graphics into an eye-catching product. With
Monty's artistic flare, promotional acumen, and unbridled energy, the game finally made it to the finish line.
The hardest part remains to be accomplished: marketing, promotion and distribution so that everyone in the country can gain
valuable and important public health and medical information to protect themselves and their families. This website is a big
step towards that goal and we hope our efforts will help you play your way to health while spending lots of quality time with
your loved ones.
We hope that you enjoy and benefit from playing the game and most importantly, that you appreciate the company of the other
players. In this digitized, technical world, nothing takes the place of reconnecting personally with family and friends. And
all the while, gaining valuable life-saving knowledge about the microscopic and macroscopic world that surrounds us.
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