I study interactions among ecological factors and epidemiological factors. Much of my work focuses on how host evolution increases or decreases how much disease spreads through a host population. Observations of natural populations inspire mathematical models which are tested with laboratory experiments. Insights gained from these more controlled studies then help us understand the field data better, which often inspires another iteration through these modes of inference.
During my PhD, this work focused on the fungal epidemics of Daphnia in the lakes of Southern Indiana (pictured). Now I work on an NSF postdoctoral fellowship studying how predation and guppy shoaling behavior interact with certain guppy ectoparasites (Gyrodactylus spp.).
During my PhD, this work focused on the fungal epidemics of Daphnia in the lakes of Southern Indiana (pictured). Now I work on an NSF postdoctoral fellowship studying how predation and guppy shoaling behavior interact with certain guppy ectoparasites (Gyrodactylus spp.).