Zavier Eure, a junior from North Carolina A&T, worked with the lab of Dr. Michael Yabsley to study copepod survival in different types of water bowls. Abstract: Guinea Worm Disease (GWD), caused by the nematode Dracunculus medinensis, has been detected with increasing incidence among dogs in Chad, Africa. Cyclopoid copepods (freshwater crustaceans) are intermediate hosts
Sarah Williamson, a junior from Baylor University, worked with Denzell Cross in the lab of Dr. Krista Capps. They used community-collected data to examine spatial and temporal changes in water quality in a local watershed. Abstract: The integrity of freshwater systems throughout the world is threatened by increasing concentrations of gut bacteria, such as E.
Lilith South, a junior from the University of Georgia, worked with Mike Newberry in the lab of Dr. Courtney Murdock to study the relationship between urbanization and distribution of mosquito species. Abstract: Impervious surfaces, mainly paved roads and buildings, significantly impact microclimate by making an area hotter and less humid. For this reason, urban areas
Alyssa Slicko, a junior from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, worked with Nikki Solano in the lab of Dr. Courtney Murdock to look at sugar-feeding and its relationship to land use in an invasive mosquito. Abstract: The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a non-native species to North America and is known to be
Margaret Dedloff, a junior at Clarkson University, worked with Dr. Monical Gestal in the lab of Dr. Eric Harvill to study the role of a sigma factor by bacteria in manipulating host immune response. Abstract: During the course of infection, some pathogens are able to sense and respond to the host immune system. This can
Sydney Rentsch, a junior from Connecticut College, worked with Dr. JP Schmidt to examine the relationship between antibiotic use and resistance in US livestock. Abstract: The potential for livestock to spread antibiotic resistant pathogens to human populations is a cause for concern. This research focused on finding trends in data on US livestock antibiotic resistance,
Kailene Richbow Dozier, a junior at Virginia Union University, worked with Dr. Kelly Dyer to examine the pathogens present in wild populations of Drosophila. Abstract: An estimated 70% of the world’s insects are infected with the gram-negative bacteria, Wolbachia pipientis. Wolbachia is known to protect organisms against viral pathogens, however little is known about how
Robert Manuel, a junior from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, worked with Ruby Harrison in the lab of Dr. Mike Strand to examine the relationship between mosquito gut biota and dengue infection. Abstract: The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue virus (DENV). Prior studies report increased susceptibility of A. aegypti to DENV
Chastity Ward, a senior from Fayetteville State University, worked on a project with Dr. Sonia Altizer, Dr. Richard Hall and Dr. Paola Barriga to examine how parasites of the Monarch butterfly are transmitted. Abstract: Many pathogens can be transmitted when infectious stages shed into the environment are later encountered by susceptible hosts. Environmental transmission is
Kennedy Houck, a junior from Ursinus College, worked with Paige Miller in the lab of Dr. John Drake to study age-based interventions for Tuberculosis. Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) represents a widespread public health concern. The World Health Organization’s “End TB Strategy” has set the goal for global TB eradication by 2050. Previous studies have suggested that
Felicia Ebot-Ojong, a junior from the University of Georgia, worked with Dr. Andy Davis to study the effect of nematode parasites on the fight-or-flight reaction of infected beetles. Abstract: Parasites cause a range of unfavorable effects on host fitness, including reducing available energy. This could be detrimental in situations where the host needs to escape
Wei-En Lu, a junior from Grove City College, worked with Dr. Brian McKay and Dr. Andreas Handel to examine the relationship between incolum dose and disease outcome in influenza. Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between influenza inoculum dose and disease outcomes. A systematic review to identify and abstract data
Brittany Dorsey, a sophomore from Mercer University, worked with Dr. Shannon Quinn and Dr. Fred Quinn to test the use of a new method to detect changes in organelle morphology. Abstract: Intracellular bacterial pathogens have the capacity to greatly alter target organelles’ morphology, which can easily be visualized through fluorescence microscopy, but is more difficult
Jason Soriano, a freshman from University of California Berkeley, worked with Dr. Nicole Gottdenker and Christina Varian to investigate the factors influencing the abundance of an important disease vector. Abstract: In the Americas, an estimated 8 million people are infected with Chagas disease, a tropical, vector-borne infectious disease that can be life threatening if not
