• Dynamics of Zoonotic Infections

    We build mathematical models for the spread of infections in animal reservoirs, at the animal-human interface, and in the human population. We also develop new tools to analyze laboratory, clinical and field data for these pathogens, and to design better ways to limit their health impacts.

  • Leptospirosis in California Sea Lions

    Leptospirosis causes annual outbreaks in the California sea lion population, and leads to large numbers of animals stranding and dying each fall. With a team of collaborators, we are conducting fieldwork, clinical studies and modeling analyses to understand what factors drive outbreak intensity and how the pathogen persists in the ecosystem. We are also gaining basic insights into the ecology and epidemiology of this important zoonotic disease.

  • Evolutionary emergence of new pathogens

    Viruses such as H5N1 influenza, SARS-CoV and canine parvovirus can mutate to adapt to new host species, and many pathogens can evolve to become drug-resistant or escape from vaccines. We are developing new theory to study how evolutionary processes at different scales can lead to emergence of novel pathogens or strains.

  • Mpox in the Congo Basin

    Since the eradication of smallpox, incidence of human mpox (previously monkeypox) has risen sharply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are working with epidemiologists to understand what is driving the emergence of mpox, and to quantify the contributions of zoonotic spillover, human-to-human transmission, and other factors.

  • Childhood imprinting to influenza A viruses

    Influenza viruses persistently spill over from animals into humans, where they threaten to cause pandemics. A central tenet of influenza pandemic risk assessment has always been that the entire human population lacks immunity against unfamiliar, animal-origin viruses. However, our recent study showed that large fractions of the human population actually do have pre-existing immunity against two avian influenza viruses of great concern for pandemic emergence in humans. Individuals gain lifelong, partial protection against influenza viruses in the same genetic group as the viruses they encountered as children.

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Our Research Program

We combine mathematical and computer models with field and laboratory data to understand how infectious diseases spread and evolve, and how to reduce their health impacts.

We focus on zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that transmit from animals to humans. Zoonoses make up 60% of all human pathogens and 75% of emerging infections, but are less well-studied than other human infections because their natural history crosses traditional scientific disciplines. We use models to integrate ideas and data from many disciplines, with the aim of answering big questions about zoonotic and emerging pathogens.

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News
NATURE ARTICLE ON H5N1 AVIAN FLU IN MAMMALS

Jamie joined an international team to review curent knowledge on the global H5N1 influenza pandemic in mammals, published in Nature.

CELINE GRADUATES WITH HER PHD!

Celine has filed her PhD! Congratulations Dr. Snedden!!

WELCOME TO KRISTIE AND ERIKA

Kristie Schott and Erika Ono-Kerns have joined the lab. Welcome!!

PNAS ARTICLE ON HISTORICAL DISEASE SPREAD

Lizzie’s paper on how viruses crossed oceans before the age of air travel, published in PNAS!

NEJM ARTICLE ON H5N1 IN MILK

Dylan and Jamie join colleagues at the NIH to publish evidence for the effectiveness of heat treatment to inactivate H5N1 influenza in milk, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

JAMIE APPOINTED TO LANCET COMMISSION

Jamie is appointed to the Lancet/PPATS Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover, where he will co-lead the Scientific Evidence Working Group. See the Commission announcement in The Lancet here.

Click here to read more lab news.