Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences

Senior Global Futures Scientist, Global Futures Scientists and Scholars

MMM contributor

Understanding Reservoir Dynamics in the Genus Peromyscus

Description
This thesis explores the dynamics of zoonotic reservoirs in the Peromyscus genus, illuminating their critical function in the spread of zoonotic viruses and their public health consequences. Through analysis of research publications on viruses in Peromyscus species, this study articulates

This thesis explores the dynamics of zoonotic reservoirs in the Peromyscus genus, illuminating their critical function in the spread of zoonotic viruses and their public health consequences. Through analysis of research publications on viruses in Peromyscus species, this study articulates a framework for synthesizing diverse types of evidence, e.g. about species-specific immune responses and ecological interactions, to determine reservoir host status. A comprehensive examination of the collected literature reveals significant gaps in the accepted meanings of "competence" and "reservoir," highlighting the intricacy of the ecology of disease. By integrating these insights with a reorganized spillover chart derived from Plowright et al. (2017) zoonotic spillover frameworks, the thesis provides a clearer understanding of transmission dynamics and advances conceptual foundations for a broader database of reservoir host species.
Date Created
2024-05
Agent

Compendium of the 11th annual March Mammal Madness Tournament 2023: Proceedings of the Noble Zoological Society Series C Performance Sciences

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Description

‘Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, their several Names, Conditions, Kinds, Virtues (both Natural and Fanciful), Countries of their Species, their Love and Hatred to Humankind, and the wonderful work of Natural Selection in their Evolution, Preservation, and

‘Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, their several Names, Conditions, Kinds, Virtues (both Natural and Fanciful), Countries of their Species, their Love and Hatred to Humankind, and the wonderful work of Natural Selection in their Evolution, Preservation, and Destruction.

Interwoven with curious variety of Creative Narrations out of Academic Literatures, Scholars, Artists, Scientists, and Poets. Illustrated with diverse Graphics and Emblems both pleasant and profitable for Students of all Faculties and Professions.’

Date Created
2023-11-06
Agent

Metagenomic Analysis of DNA Virus Diversity in the Rodent Families Cricetidae and Heteromyidae

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Description
A
Date Created
2023
Agent

The Usutu Virus Envelope: In silico analysis of viral amino acids in a zoonotic capsid protein

Description

An effort to experiment on the novel Usutu virus in pure in silico methods was made to determine conformational changes with non polar point mutations in the amino acid sequence. The first method consisted of creating a Python program to

An effort to experiment on the novel Usutu virus in pure in silico methods was made to determine conformational changes with non polar point mutations in the amino acid sequence. The first method consisted of creating a Python program to exhaustively identify codons, amino acids, and dinucleotide bridges & nonbridges, including viral characteristics defined by Mollentze in 2021. The second method consisted of creating point mutations to non polar amino acids in deemed key sites of the Usutu virus envelope protein and finding the RMSD from the original structure. This resulted in one of two outcomes - either the experiment showed that the Usutu virus envelope protein is highly resistant to point mutations or in silico methods are inconsistent and biased, leading to inaccuracy.

Date Created
2023-05
Agent

The distribution and prevalence of viruses in Peromyscus leucopus

Description

This thesis presents a systematic review of viruses found in the Peromyscus leucopus rodent species in North America. Various viruses cause serious illness in humans through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or inhalation of dust contaminated with

This thesis presents a systematic review of viruses found in the Peromyscus leucopus rodent species in North America. Various viruses cause serious illness in humans through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or inhalation of dust contaminated with the virus, with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) being the most severe manifestation. Therefore, studying their distribution in rodent populations can inform public health interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Through a literature review and data analysis, this study found that studying the distribution of viruses in rodents can help identify areas where humans may be at higher risk of contracting the virus, inform public health interventions to reduce the risk of HPS transmissions, and better understand the ecology of the virus and its host species, which can, in turn, inform conservation efforts. Furthermore, monitoring the spread of viruses over time and across regions can help us better understand their epidemiology and potential for future outbreaks, which can inform surveillance and response efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus on human and animal health. Overall, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex public health and conservation issues and underscores the need for continued research in this area.

Date Created
2023-05
Agent

Compendium of the 10th annual March Mammal Madness tournament 2022: Proceedings of the Noble Zoological Society Series C Performance Sciences

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Description

‘Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, their several Names, Conditions, Kinds, Virtues (both Natural and Fanciful), Countries of their Species, their Love and Hatred to Humankind, and the wonderful work of Natural Selection in their Evolution, Preservation, and

‘Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, their several Names, Conditions, Kinds, Virtues (both Natural and Fanciful), Countries of their Species, their Love and Hatred to Humankind, and the wonderful work of Natural Selection in their Evolution, Preservation, and Destruction.

Interwoven with curious variety of Creative Narrations out of Academic Literatures, Scholars, Artists, Scientists, and Poets. Illustrated with diverse Graphics and Emblems both pleasant and profitable for Students of all Faculties and Professions.’

Date Created
2023-02-01
Agent