Research interests

During my PhD, I will be researching how host density and genetic diversity affect the spread of infectious diseases in Daphnia magna. More specifically, I am interested in determining the host density threshold for Daphnia (i.e., the minimum population size required for an outbreak to occur). In addition, I am hoping to determine how disease spread in Daphnia populations is influenced by varying levels of genetic diversity. My research is also focused on determining the degree of host specificity and local adaptation within the Daphnia magna-Ordospora colligata host-parasite system. Before entering the PhD program, I completed my master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation at Trinity College Dublin and my bachelor’s degree in Biology at Northern Arizona University.