Gillian Eastwood

Synopsis:

Dr. Eastwood’s research focuses on One Health and the ecology of vector-borne disease, specifically understanding enzootic transmission cycles of pathogens vectored by mosquitoes and ticks, and the potential for disease emergence.

Description:

Based on the increasing emergence of vector-borne disease, the lab investigates the complex interactions between disease pathogens, vectors, hosts, and their environment using a One Health approach that recognizes the integration of human health with animal, wildlife, and ecosystem health. Eastwood’s expertise includes enzootic host and vector ecology of emerging arboviruses, vectorial capacity of invasive mosquito and tick species, and the impact of tropical forest degradation on vector species diversity and pathogen spillover potential. Specifically, conducting field and laboratory studies of vector-borne disease ecology, her current research interests include understanding enzootic transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne viruses; tick-borne Powassan virus and its co-infection agents; sero-surveillance in vertebrate host populations; and  assessing ecological drivers of vectored emerging infectious disease, such as habitat degradation and land-use.