People

VandeWoude Laboratory, Colorado State University

The VandeWoude Lab investigates feline pathogens and pathogen spread in mountain lion populations, manages and organizes the mountain lion sample access database and sample biorepository, and coordinates PI and group meetings. Dr. Sue VandeWoude is passionate about engaging veterinary trainees in research projects.

Sue VandeWoude, D.V.M.

University Distinguished Professor
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University
Principal Investigator

Funk Laboratory, Colorado State University

The Funk Lab strives to understand the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that generate and maintain biological diversity using population genomics, experimental manipulations, and field studies. Our goal is to not only test basic evolutionary and ecological theory, but also directly inform policy and management decisions that will ultimately determine the fate of biodiversity. The role of the Funk Lab in the NSF EEID puma project is to lead landscape genomic analyses of pumas.

Chris Funk, Ph.D.

Professor
Co-Principal Investigator

Crooks Laboratory, Colorado State University

The Crooks Lab strives to apply theoretical principles of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation science to natural systems. They use a combination of field observations, manipulative experiments, and modeling techniques to answer scientific questions generated by observing natural systems. Dr. Crooks’ research has emphasized the ecology and conservation of mammals, often focusing on carnivores due to their sensitivities to environmental disturbances. Because of his commitment to, and passion for, conservation, much of his research, and that of his lab, examines the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on the natural world. One primary research avenue is continued investigation of the effects of habitat fragmentation, urban sprawl, and landscape connectivity on wildlife and the systems in which they live. Dr. Crooks is applying this research focus to advance the NSF-EID project, investigating the effects of landscape structure and management interventions on disease dynamics of wild and domestic felids.

Kevin Crooks, Ph.D.

Professor
Director, Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, Colorado State University
Co-Principal Investigator

Craft Laboratory, University of Minnesota

How are pathogens maintained in multi-host ecosystems? How does heterogeneity in population contact structure affect pathogen dynamics? The Craft Lab seeks to answer such questions regarding disease spread and consequent control through parameterizing theoretical disease models with empirical data. Current research projects in the Craft Lab focus on modeling swine viruses (e.g. influenza and FMD), “large cat” retroviruses (i.e., pumas and lions), moose metagenomics, bovine tuberculosis in cattle, raccoon rabies, and prairie dog plague.

Meggan Craft, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Co-Principal Investigator

Carver Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Australia

The Carver Lab specialises in the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases, spanning wildlife, domestic animal and human health. The lab studies the transmission, pathology and emergence of infectious diseases, which they pursue using a combination of field studies, experiments and mathematical modelling. This, often involves collaborating with investigators in other disciplines, such as geneticists, immunologists, mathematicians and veterinarians. Our goals are to improve wildlife conservation outcomes, and human and domestic animal health, through advances in disease control and management. The role of the Carver Lab in the NSF-EID puma project is to understand landscape and management impacts on pathogen transmission in puma by unifying the complex datasets of host genetics, pathogen genetics, landscape factors and host demographic factors over time.

Scott Carver, Ph.D.

Lecturer in Wildlife Ecology
Co-Principal Investigator

Ernest Laboratory, University of Wyoming

The Ernest Lab uses ecological tools – including whole genome analysis for wild animals and their disease pathogens, analysis of population genetics, and epidemiology – to understand how diseases affect wildlife populations. The Ernest lab is contributing to the next generation sequencing and genomic analysis of California pumas and, with UC Davis Boyce Lab has provided blood samples for pathogen analysis.

Holly Ernest, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Professor
Wyoming Excellence Chair in Disease Ecology
Co-Principal Investigator

The FELIDAE Project