Understanding Host-Pathogen Dynamics through individual decision making and population density
Infectious diseases are an increasing threat to biodiversity and human health. Developing a thorough understanding of the factors driving host-pathogen dynamics is therefore essential in both ecological and epidemiological research. Disease dynamics are fundamentally shaped by host-pathogen interactions at various spatial and temporal scales. Individual decision-making processes, especially movement choices as adaptive responses to environmental changes, play a central role in disease transmission. Accordingly, simulation models that aim to predict realistic host-pathogen dynamics must account for individual behaviours and life-history traits of host organisms. Individual- or agent-based models, which capture the variability in host behaviours, offer new approaches and insights into the study of disease dynamics.
Wildlife disease dynamics: Linking host and pathogen traits
Pathogens are a fundamental component of biodiversity, significantly impacting host population dynamics and playing a crucial role in shaping community structures. In this project, we aim to understand how species, acting as “mobile pathogen links” with their diverse movement patterns and life-history strategies, influence the distribution, spread, persistence, and evolution of diseases. This project was part of the BioMove research training group. Key Publications
Wildlife disease dynamics: Management of an invasive parasite
Managing pathogens with heteroxenous or paratenic life stages is a complex undertaking due to multiple hosts and life stages. These parasites can survive alternative hosts or environmental conditions, invalidating many control strategies in the process. Additionally, Spill-over or unintended infection poses a significant risk to other species. Fascioloides magna (Giant American Liver Fluke), a large parasitic flatworm (4-10cm) , utilizes snails as intermediate hosts and cervids (including red deer, fallow deer, and Sika deer) as definitive hosts.
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Management Practices into Wildlife Disease Models
A highly detailed, scalable, spatially explicit agent-based model for African swine fever (ASF) management. The model in development is a simulation of individual and group dynamics, incorporating behaviours and processes such as movement, mortality, hunting, pathogen dynamics, dispersal, home range behaviour, roaming, reproduction, group dynamics, and interactions between different layers.
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Management Practices into Wildlife Disease Models 
is a simulation of individual and group dynamics, incorporating behaviours and processes such as movement, mortality, hunting, pathogen dynamics, dispersal, home range behaviour, roaming, reproduction, group dynamics, and interactions between different layers.