What is Beyond Flies?
What lies within this website? Lots of interesting facts and news about flies and maggots, but also many related topics that will take you far beyond just flies.
Flies and maggots are not the center of the universe (though they may think so). But they are the center of this website, because this site features the work of Ronald and Julie Sherman, who have spent nearly 50 years studying and teaching about beneficial and harmful flies, maggots, and parasites. Here you will find links to their scientific papers and publications, discussions about recent news and discoveries, instructions to protect yourself from maggot infestations (myiasis, screwworms), and resources for those interested in maggot therapy (also called therapeutic myiasis). Eventually, these pages will also be home for Dr. and Mrs. Sherman’s non-maggot interests (yes, they do have interests beyond flies and maggots), such as those discussed on the “You can read more about Dr. Sherman, his Family, and the “Beyond Flies” website, by going to the “About Us” tab.
About Us” page.
The mission of this website is to provide not only information and resources about flies and maggots (“Diptera”), but also access to our assistance and services, should you so desire. So welcome to our space. Don’t be afraid to enter. You will soon discover that most maggots don’t bite!
About Dr. Ronald A. Sherman and Julie Sherman
Ronald Sherman earned his bachelor’s degree in entomology at the University of California (UC) Riverside (1979) and his medical degree at UCLA (1983), before studying Tropical Medicine at the University of London (1988) School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He has long been interested in the intersection of medicine and entomology, especially the medical benefits of insects like maggots and bees. Dr. Sherman initiated the first clinical trials of maggot therapy for wound healing during his fellowship in infectious diseases (UC Irvine, 1989-1991), and joined the faculty of UC Irvine immediately thereafter.
You can read more about Dr. Sherman and Mrs. Julie Sherman by going to the “About Us” tab.
Programs & Services Available
Here you will find a partial list of services and products that we can provide for you. They include lectures and workshops, consulting about maggot therapy and myiasis, expert witness services, and assisting with the regulatory requirements for producing and marketing living medicinal animals.
Links to these programs, services, and more, can be found under the “PROGRAMS & SERVICES” tab.
Publications & Blog
Here you will find publications about biotherapy in general, maggot therapy in detail, myiasis, infectious diseases, and a variety of other topics. Our blogs will focus on recent events, forthcoming opportunities, and the Sherman Diaries.
If interested in being notified of updates and new publications, sign up for our newsletter.
Resources and Links
Coming soon, we will provide links to resources concerning flies, maggots, maggot therapy, myiasis, biotherapy, and related topics. Some of these resources will be ours, but most, like the BTER Foundation, will be links to external resources
Links to these resources can be found under the “RESOURCES & LINKS” tab.
Contact Us . . . .
Dr. Sherman can usually be found in his office. If he is not webcasting live, then contact him using any of the methods listed on the “Contact Us” page. Social media links can also be found on the “Contact Us” page, and at the bottom of this page.
Dr. Sherman’s Medicine and Entomology Library, housed at the BioTherapeutics, Education and Research Foundation; Photo by RA Sherman, 2020.