Project for Research Experiences for Undergraduates

NIMBioS Summer Program, June 10 - August 2, 2013

Title: Modeling the environmental transmission of infectious diseases: Escherichia coli transmission in cattle

Mentors:
Dr. Cristina Lanzas
Dr. Shi Chen

Infectious diseases (e.g. influenza, enteric, foodborne and waterborne pathogens) can have environmental reservoirs and be transmitted by contact among individuals and between individuals and their associated environments. For diseases with environmental reservoirs, little is known about how the contact patterns between hosts and environment influence disease transmission. This REU project will study the spread of a zoonotic environmental-transmitted pathogen, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli, in beef cattle populations. We will use animal movement datasets, data on pathogen survival in the environment, and mathematical models to study the role of the environment in transmission.

Products

Abstract of project report (PDF)

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From 2008 until early 2021, NIMBioS was supported by the National Science Foundation through NSF Award #DBI-1300426, with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.