Disease Ecology

Disease ecology is the result of interactions between hosts, pathogens, and their environments. This means that in cases where habitats are notably different, we should see an effect on the disease systems in those areas. My research examines how habitat changes correspond with differences in the diversity and prevalence of avian pathogens. As part of my Master's program at SFSU, I studied the diversity and prevalence of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon parasites in birds from Papua New Guinea to assess the effects of island biogeography.

My current research examines how habitat fragmentation in the San Francisco Bay Area corresponds to differences in Haemoproteus and Borrelia burgderfori, the causative pathogen of Lyme disease. I am also examining how urbanization and local habitat characteristics correspond to the prevalence of haemosporidians in dark-eyed juncos across southern and central California.

Read more on these topics here:

• Publication: Prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites across islands of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea [Article]
• Publication: Local Community Composition Drives Avian Borrelia burgdorferi Infection and Tick Infestation [Article]

Aging and Disease

Part of my doctoral research involves using epigenetics to develop a molecular clock for wild birds (dark-eyed juncos). These epigenetic clocks report on differences in DNA methylation between individuals as they age and can be especially valuable for monitoring a population. While novel in it's own right, I am then using this molecular clock to determine if infections by Plasmodium relictum result in a sudden increase in the age of birds

Stay tuned for the manuscript!

The Microbiome and Disease

The gut microbiome is a complex system with a number of important biological functions. While we know the microbiome can shift in response to a number of stimuli, it is worth examining if this corresponds with how an individual responds to a pathogenic infection. My current research explores the gut microbiome of a bird species (dark-eyed junco) in response to infections by the malarial parasite Plasmodium relictum.

Stay tuned for updates!