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Carl Lowenberger is determined to raise $25,000 to buy 2,500 anti-malarial bed nets for vulnerable kids in Africa and he’s putting hundreds of his own mosquitoes on the line – or rather his arm – to make it happen.

The Simon Fraser University biologist is spearheading the university’s response to the UNICEF Spread the Net campus challenge. Co-chaired by comedian Rick Mercer and former MP Belinda Stronach, the national campaign aims to raise $5 million in three years to buy 500,000 insecticide-treated nets for families in malaria-plagued Liberia and Rwanda.

SFU raised $8,400 last year, placing fourth among 73 teams from 35 university and college campuses. But this year Lowenberger is ready to get eaten alive by mosquitoes to win first place – and a starring role in an episode of Mercer’s hit CBC TV show The Mercer Report.

“We raise 2,000-3,000 mosquitoes a week for our research into the insect vectors of malaria and dengue fever and the pathogens that cause these diseases,” explains Lowenberger, a Canada Research Chair in parasitology and disease vectors.

“So I’m setting up a cage full of hungry mosquitoes in the south Academic Quadrangle concourse on Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and for every net purchased we’ll release another mosquito in the cage to feed on my arm.

“Plus we’re issuing special certificates with every purchase, which make perfect Christmas gifts.”

Lowenberger, an internationally recognized expert on parasites and insect immunity, has also issued a challenge to Mercer on YouTube (www.youtube.com/sfunews) in a short video clip that shows his arm carpeted with the creepy bloodsuckers.

“I told him, ‘Come here and we’ll both put our arms in a cage full of mosquitoes for the cause. We’ll even use male mosquitoes in your cage. They don’t bite.’”

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