Research Topics
My current research focus is primarily on SARS-CoV-2, though I am also still active in amphibian chytridiomycosis research. SARS-CoV-2 may not require an introduction, but amphibian chytridiomycosis does. A disease affecting amphibians worldwide, it is caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bd as a single pathogen is thought to be responsible for driving an estimated 200 species of amphibians worldwide near extinction.
To learn more about my SARS-CoV-2 work, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) page for 2020-2021 and 2022 SARS-CoV-2 Nationwide Blood Donor Seroprevalence (link) and the publication list page.
What is Amphibian Chytridiomycosis?
Beginning in the late 1970's, amphibian population declines were reported in many parts of the world. Though there are many possible reasons for these declines, amphibian chytridiomycosis is thought to be a prominent factor. The word "chytridiomycosis" comes from the latin words "chytrid" which is the most primitive known group of fungi while "mycosis" which means "a disease caused by a fungi."
The chytrid that causes this disease is known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd for short). When we think of fungi, what usually comes to mind are mold and the mushrooms we see on the supermarket shelves. Bd belongs to the most primitive group of fungi, before funguses evolved to have structures like those we see on mushrooms today. Bd spores most closely resembles an aquatic single cell organism with a rudder-like tail for swimming. When Bd swims up to a host, it attaches itself to the skin of the host and feeds on their skin. The host’s skin, attempting to fight the pathogen, would then keratinize and thicken. As amphibians use their skin to breathe and maintain water balance, thickening of the skin can lead to death by cardiac failure.