In this talk, we’ll explore the fascinating yet often overlooked role that parasites play in ecosystems, from influencing species interactions and ecosystem structure to driving evolutionary processes. Environmental changes can impact these interactions in profound ways, with significant implications for both ecological and public health. A key topic of debate is the link between biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease risk. I will therefore discuss how changes in biodiversity can influence host-parasite relationships and the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The One Health framework serves as a guiding concept throughout, underscoring the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health.
About our speaker:
I am an assistant professor at the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group of Wageningen University & Research. My work focuses on disease ecology, especially biodiversity-disease relationships and the ecology of tick-borne diseases. I'm passionate about uncovering how environmental changes influence pathogen transmission dynamics and aim to inform strategies that support both ecosystem and human health while reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases.
When: Tuesday November 12th at 15:45 - 17:15
Where: HG-13A33