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ESRAC researchers work on a variety of vectorborne disease systems, including West Nile virus, canine heartworm, plague, and tularemia. Specifically, they aim to understand how vectors, be they mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks, are influenced by the environment in which they exist and how this translates to disease risk. Because of their life cycles, when and where vectors are active is tightly linked to weather (e.g., rainfall, humidity, temperature) and habitat (e.g., vegetation, water). Capitalizing on these associations between vectors and the environment, we can estimate when and where risk for exposure to vectors is greatest.
Projects