Principal Investigator

About me: I study how viruses spillover from wild animals into novel hosts. Identifying the conditions that drive viruses to host jump at multiple scales - molecular, organismal and ecological – can help with predicting the next pandemic.

Fun fact: I lived in a tropical forest in Costa Rica for 6 months studying spider monkeys. I did not know that I could sweat that much!

Ph.D. Student | Environmental Biology

About me: I am interested in the ecological and phylogenetic drivers of avian influenza transmission. My project will help to identify “super-spreaders” and “super-diluters” among wild birds during the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Fun fact: I use a mechanical typewriter for my non-scientific writing.

Postdoctoral Researcher

About me: I am interested in community ecology, predator-prey dynamics, wildlife conservation, and epidemiology. I am fascinated by the cascading effects anthropogenic and climate drivers have on wildlife communities and pathogen transmission.

Fun fact: I went backpacking in Patagonia and succeeded in losing only 4 of my toenails.

Research Assistant

About me: I am a junior biology major and cognitive science minor on the premedical track. I am interested in the impact of viruses on their host’s health and how they are so successful at propagating.

Fun fact: I was born in Cameroon, a beautiful country in Central Africa.

Research Assistant

About me: I am a junior biology major on the premedical track. I am interested in viruses, how they spread between hosts, and their impact on animal and human health.

Fun fact: I play volleyball for UMass Boston.

Research Assistant

About me: I am a sophomore biology major on a premedical track. I am interested in studying viral mutations that allow for spillover transmission from avian reservoirs into mammals.

Fun fact: I am one of three siblings all named after different cheeses!

Then: Postdoc with VirusPlus Lab, 2023-2024

Now: Current collaborator & Postdoc at Sydney University (Holmes Lab)

About me: I am interested in using next-generation sequencing to understand the extent of virus diversity in wildlife populations to prevent spillover events. My interests also include understanding how these virus communities impact wildlife health and conservation.

Fun fact: I adopted a 13-year-old deaf cat that snores loudly