Faculty of Infectious Diseases

Research examines the ecology of infectious diseases in animal populations using a combination of field studies, experiments, comparative approaches and modeling. Particularly interested in the effects of host behavior on pathogen transmission, and the consequences of genetic and environmental factors for host susceptibility.

Broad base of ecological research interests that involves the study of species interactions in nearshore, estuarine, and marsh environments, with particular emphasis on quantitative measures of impacts of non-indigenous species on native biota in invaded communities. Interest in parasite and disease ecology is rooted in understanding environmental determinants of parasite prevalence and triggers of disease onset and outbreaks, as well as how parasites and disease affect populations and community structure.

Many diseases are vectored by blood-feeding arthropods, which modify the conditions of pathogen transmission as a result of antihemostatic and immunomodulatory activities in their saliva. Seek to characterize these activities and the specific components involved, with the ultimate goal of developing novel strategies for interrupting disease transmission.

Research has focused on analysis of gene expression profiles of E. coli O157:H7, non-thermal plasma intervention strategies for foodborne pathogens, functionality of naturally derived antimicrobials, and concentration techniques for sampling pathogens from the environment or food for improved detection.

Develop better methods to detect, control, and reduce contamination of foodborne pathogens from farm to plate. Pathogens under study include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium botulinum, E. coli O157:H7 and EHEC, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Laboratory work focuses on the population and evolutionary dynamics of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. A specific focus is non-direct transmission modes, including vector-transmitted parasites and environmentally transmitted parasites.

Interested in the ecology of infectious disease in wildlife and at the interface of wild and domestic animals, especially carnivores. Goals are to bring together concepts and skills of veterinary medicine and ecology to better understand how infectious diseases impact wildlife populations, and to use this understanding to aid in wildlife conservation.

Develops and uses DNA techniques and technologies to address problems in ecology, environmental health, evolution, toxicology, and natural resource management.

Use of models and empirical studies to investigate effects of anthropogenic land use change and climate change on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, particularly vector-borne multi-host pathogens (e.g. Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp. ). Additional research interests include: 1) evaluating effects of parasites/pathogens of keystone species on ecosystem function, 2) understanding how infectious diseases interact with other population regulatory processes such as predation, resource availability, and competition  3)  wildlife pathology and diseases of Neotropical wildlife.

Interested in virus and host interactions focusing on the roles of host proteins in replication of paramyxoviruses mumps virus and parainfluenza virus 5. Actively pursuing novel strategies for vaccine development and anti-viral drugs.

Interested in all aspects of wildlife disease, particularly how pathogens affect wildlife populations, communities and ecosystems and primarily with an applied perspective. Aim to integrate ecological principle to inform the fields of conservation medicine and wildlife disease investigation.

Interested in the microflora associated with marine organisms, particularly novel organisms associated with the guts of fishes, as well as the biogeography of potentially pathogenic organisms in the environment.

Research focus is on geographic information science (GIScience), remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, geographic information systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), geovisualization and landscape modeling for mapping and assessing vegetation communities, spatio-temporal patterns of landscapes, landuse/land cover changes, anthropology and archaeology, human impacts on the environment and environmental factors affecting the ecology of infectious disease.

Modeling, simulation and analysis of biological and ecological systems; investigating universal properties of these systems; and on mathematical and computational solutions to questions of interest, such as control, impact, spread and evolution.

Research focus is on geographic information science (GIScience) and landscape ecology using remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), geovisualization and landscape modeling for mapping and assessing vegetation communities, spatio-temporal patterns of landscapes, landuse/land cover changes, human impacts on the environment and environmental factors affecting the ecology of infectious disease.

Roles of metalloproteins (hydrogenases and oxidative stress resistance enzymes) in pathogenic bacteria, particularly in Helicobacters and Enterobacteriaceae. Physical characteristics of the enzymes, their maturation, and their differential expression in animal hosts are of interest.

Research focus includes the maintenance and transmission of vector-borne viruses, ecology of infectious diseases, host-parasite interactions, and the molecular epidemiology of viruses.

Research in the laboratory focuses on transcriptional regulation and genome rearrangements in a strain of Acinetobacter baylyi. Successful treatment strategies may arise from comparisons between this bacterium and pathogenic Acinetobacter species and strains that are causing serious nosocomial infections worldwide.

Causes and consequences of heterogeneities in host-pathogen interactions. Development of predictive models for infectious diseases.

Use the fruit fly as a model system to study the ecology of bacterial infections in natural populations. Aso use theoretical models to understand the role that pathogens might play in the evolution of aging.

Ecology and Evolution of bacterial pathogens with special emphasis on antimicrobial resistance.

Work on the genomics and bioinformatics of prokaryotic mobile genetic elements (MGEs) focusing primarily on conjugative and mobilizable plasmids and on integrons. These elements play key roles in antibiotic multi-resistance which is now endemic throughout the world and a major factor in increasing healthcare costs in all countries.

Laboratory focus is to better understand the ecology of vector-borne and parasitic pathogens in wildlife. Also interested in the evolution and phylogeny of these pathogens.