Research
Madagascar's Wildlife Biomedical Evaluation
With this research, we aim to answer seemingly simple yet cricitical questions including: “What is a healthy lemur/fosa?” and “How does the increased interactions with humans and their domestic animals affect the health of lemurs/fosa?”
In collaboration with other researchers, we have established and maintain long term field studies at multiple protected area in Madagascar where we evaluate the health of mammalian wildlife longitudinally and across a gradient of habitat degradation.These data are used to guide animal reintroduction or translocations and have become a necessary tool for conservation action.
Ecology and Epidemiology of Wildlife diseases in Madagascar
This research centers around investigating the epidemiology and ecology of wildlife diseases in Madagascar, aiming to understand the distribution of pathogens and the factors that contribute to the increased occurrence of these diseases.
Monitoring and managing vector borne diseases in wildlife can help maintain the health and resilience of ecosystems and promote the conservation of vulnerable species and public health. Our Research on wildlife diseases in Madagascar encompasses various aspects, including studying the diversity of pathogens, investigating transmission dynamics, and exploring the ecological factors that influence disease occurrence as well as evaluating preventative measures. Using fieldwork, laboratory analysis and computational models, we are developing a framework for identifying areas where health management in domestic and wildlife is likely to be particularly valuable.
Movement of pathogens via the livestock trade network
The global trade of animals has played a significant role in causing numerous outbreaks and emergence events worldwide. These incidents have had far-reaching impacts on the agricultural sector and present substantial threats to both animal and public health. Large numbers of livestock are traded annually within and between countries and may facilitate the spread of pathogens.
With this project we study the movement of food animals in the country and the pathogens they may carry.
Improving rural livelihood and supporting wildlife conservation through poultry vaccination in villages near protected areas of Madagascar.
An important vulnerability associated with poultry farming in rural Madagascar is the array of pathogens to which the species is susceptible including Newcastle disease, causing outbreaks with mortality rates above 70% in unvaccinated flocks. Our partner organization is offering vaccination to protect poultry from this devastating pathogen and improve availability of protein in family diets as well villagers’ livelihoods, thereby reducing the pressure on wild animals in the forest. Our research goals are to study the dynamics of the disease and evaluate the effects of vaccination and other preventative measures on chicken health and production in the region.