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GeoGators present 7 posters at EPI Day 2023

  There was strong GeoGator representation at the 2023 EPI Day hosted by UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute – with the SEER Lab and QDEC Lab submitting undergrad, graduate, and faculty posters. Undergrad Researchers Aryn O’Dell (SEER Lab) – Evaluating livestock commingling in a brucellosis risk zone in Kazakhstan Jaclyn Siu (SEER Lab) – Spatial Investigation of […]

JOB POSTING – Research Technician (Geospatial Analyst)

The Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory (QDEC Lab) in the Department of Geography and Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida is seeking a research technician with expertise in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and Google Earth Engine. The successful candidate will contribute to work quantifying the urban-rural social-ecological environment for spatial analyses of […]

Welcome to the Vector Data Ecosystem

GeoGator Dr. Cat Lippi (QDEC Lab, VectorByte) recently announced a ‘comprehensive guide to existing online data resources’ for vector-borne disease research that ‘will help to eliminate any confusion when choosing online databases, and promote greater use of existing resources’. “Science runs on data. As researchers, we know how valuable (and time consuming) collecting new data […]

Scoping review of distribution models for selected Amblyomma ticks and rickettsial group pathogens

LIPPI, RYAN, WHITE – Scoping review of distribution models for selected Amblyomma ticks and rickettsial group pathogens Catherine A. Lippi, Holly D. Gaff, Alexis L. White, and Sadie J. Ryan Article first published online: 17 FEB 2021 PeerJ DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10596 ABSTRACT: The rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans in recent decades has called attention to […]

Animal carcasses may increase grazing potential and anthrax transmission risk for elk and bison, but differently

The latest publication led by SEER Lab #MedGeo M.S. Alum, and full-time Spatial Epidemiologist Morgan Walker is available in Royal Society Open Science. In this study, Walker and others examined how ungulates, primarily plains bison and elk, use animal carcasses on the Montana landscape. Working with SEER Lab partners at Turner Enteprises, Inc. (TEI) out […]

Sex-Specific Elk Resource Selection during the Anthrax Risk Period

BLACKBURN, RYAN, YANG – Sex-Specific Elk Resource Selection during the Anthrax Risk Period Anni Yang, Kelly M. Proffitt, Valpa Asher, Sadie J. Ryan, Jason K. Blackburn Article first published online: 01 OCT 2020 The Journal of Wildlife Management DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21952 ABSTRACT: Anthrax, caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonosis affecting animals and […]

Summarizing the Research and Knowledge Gaps for Mosquito-borne Arboviruses in Ecuador

GAINESVILLE, FL – Researchers and clinicians in Ecuador face a challenging environment: this biodiverse country is home to many disease hosts and vectors. Particularly, the mosquitoes in Ecuador carry and transmit arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses). This group includes diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Mayaro virus, yellow fever, and Zika, among others. All are spread by overlapping mosquito species. […]

Machine Learning Predictions of Dengue Patients Outcomes Yield Promising Results

GAINESVILLE, FL – Helping patients with dengue can be challenging – especially in countries with multiple diseases spread by mosquitoes. Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are viruses spread by the same type of mosquito; all three viruses are present in Ecuador and many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Patients infected with one of […]

Novel Network Approach to Mosquito Control Distribution Yields Insights for a City in Southern Ecuador

GAINESVILLE, FL – Fighting mosquito-borne disease can be costly – in both health and financial resources. While mosquito control is an effective way to combat the spread of diseases like dengue fever, the cost of spraying every house in a city quickly adds up. These costs limit public health vector control programs, which often operate […]