VanAcker Disease Ecology Lab, University of California, Riverside · California · PhD assistantship · posted today
The VanAcker Disease Ecology Lab (PI: Dr. Meredith VanAcker) in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside, is recruiting up to two PhD students to begin Fall 2027. Learn more about the lab at https://www.vanackerlab.com Our lab examines the impacts of land use change on wildlife movement, community assembly and pathogen transmission to understand the ecological drivers of infectious disease emergence. We combine spatial modeling with empirical data collection from wildlife hosts to understand how zoonotic risk is distributed with a particular focus on human interfaces. Students will have the opportunity to develop research projects within the following themes: Mammalian health at agricultural interfaces in Southern California: Investigate how agricultural land use alters host community structure, predator prey dynamics, and its impacts on microbial transmission across agricultural - wildland interfaces for pathogens such as highly pathogenic avian influenza among others. Deer movement and health: Examine the role of urbanization on white-tailed deer movement ecology and behavior on pathogen exposure in a borough of New York City, NY. This research theme has the potential to expand to examine California based systems. Qualifications: Applicants from ecology, environmental science, evolution, public health, geography, microbiology or related fields are welcome to apply. Funding: Admitted students receive five years of funding, including a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance, through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. Application Deadline: January 10, 2027 Interested candidates should fill out this google form prior to submitting an application.
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