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.

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.

Laboratory employs bioinformatics and receptor cross-talk analysis to examine how parasite expressed molecules induce anti-inflammatory signaling and maturation in antigen presenting cells. Also working on vaccines for schistosomiasis, including field testing of the vaccines in China.

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) 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.

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 focus includes the epidemiology and pathogenesis of wildlife diseases, diseases that affect both wildlife and domestic animal populations, and zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife populations.

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.