CATHERINE SEARLE Associate Professor, Associate Head For Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning 765-496-0062 LILY G-331 searlec@purdue.edu Associated website(s): Lab Website , Publications

---

PROFESSIONAL FACULTY RESEARCH

Disease ecology, community ecology, host-parasite interactions, freshwater biology

BIO

I am a disease ecologist studying the effects of species composition and community structure on infectious diseases. In natural systems, disease dynamics can be altered in a variety of ways as communities lose species (e.g. from habitat loss, pollution, etc.), gain species (e.g. from species invasions), or experience changes to population sizes and intraspecific diversity. These factors can influence the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks. To understand these processes, I combine field observations with experimental manipulations in the field, mesocosm and laboratory. My primary host systems are freshwater zooplankton ( Daphnia ) and amphibians (with a focus on chytridiomycosis). Through these studies, I aim to understand how changes global to biodiversity are altering disease dynamics.

To learn more about research in my lab, please visit: https://www.bio.purdue.edu/lab/searle/