One Health Institute2024 One Health Student Awards
The CSU One Health Institute funded four Student One Health Award projects for the first time in 2024. These awards support student research to implement a One Health project that addresses an issue at the interface of humans, animals, plants and the environment.
These student awards will support student research projects toward their degree and provide students with experience writing, managing and reviewing grants. Students who succeed in this funding period will review awards submitted the following year.
Dispersal dynamics of the invasive Ixodes pacificus tick in Utah and Oregon
In the western US, Ixodes pacificus (western black-legged tick) is the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi s.s., the causative agent of Lyme disease. We aim to determine Ixodes pacificus dispersal dynamics using a mark-release-recapture approach in Utah and Oregon.
Field methods were validated in Colorado before implementation in Lyme disease endemic states. Ticks were captured using standard active dragging measures, marked using a unique three-color code, released onto vegetation in the general area that they were initially collected, and recaptured days to weeks later. Preliminary results have validated published methodologies and will be implemented shortly in Oregon and Utah.
Researcher:
Sabrina Gobran, PhD. Student
Graduate Research Assistant, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Advisor:
Elizabeth Hemming-Schroeder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Developing Oral Avian Vaccine for WNV Transmission Control
This project aims to develop and assess a strategy to reduce West Nile virus transmission by targeting birds, the main reservoir of the virus, with an orally administered recombinant probiotic WNV vaccine. The vaccine will utilize a probiotic bacterium called Lactobacillus acidophilus (rLA) as a delivery platform, as it has been successful in vaccinating birds against different diseases. It can be freeze-dried and mixed with birdseed for non-invasive administration to susceptible wildlife.
Researchers will create a construct of the probiotic that expresses WNV antigens, aiming to trigger positive immune responses in model bird species.
Researchers will measure birds’ immune responses to WNV exposure to evaluate the vaccine’s efficacy. The team hopes to disrupt the transmission cycles between mosquitoes and birds to provide an alternative to traditional insecticide-based mitigation strategies.
Researcher:
Michelle Savran, DVM/PhD. Student
Graduate Research Assistant, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Advisors:
Brian Foy, Ph.D.
Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Gregory Ebel, Sc.D.
Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Director, Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases,
Colorado State University
Understanding Bat Diets for Virus Transmission Prediction
Diet significantly influences animal behavior, dictating their movements and interactions with other species. Understanding the diets of viral reservoir species, such as bats, is crucial for assessing the risk of disease transmission. In Uganda’s Mount Elgon region, various bat species have been found carrying coronaviruses and other viruses. Fecal samples have been collected from these bats to study their diet, but researchers hypothesize that many of the plants and insects found in these samples have not been genetically sequenced before, making identification challenging.
This study aims to create a database of genetic information from local plants and insects in the Mount Elgon region to accurately identify the components of bat diets. With this data, researchers will develop a model to predict bat foraging behavior across the landscape. By combining this model with viral surveillance data and land-use maps, previously unrecognized areas of nocturnal bat activity in human settlements can be identified, aiding in disease prevention efforts.
Researcher:
Kalani Williams, Ph.D. Student,
Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University
Advisor:
Rebekah Kading, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Medical Entemology, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University
Leveraging Data for Comprehensive WNV Surveillance
Fort Collins is hot spot for West Nile Virus in the United States, prompting efforts to establish a robust surveillance program. Despite the wealth of available data from positive mosquito samples, much remains untapped. This project aims to harness this data to analyze the emergence and persistence of new WNV strains in the area, pinpointing areas for targeted control measures and understanding WNV spread. The research team will develop a method to track WNV strains’ movements over time and space, distinguishing between short-lived and long-lasting strains.
Once persistent strains are identified, computational models will examine associated weather patterns, land types, and geographic locations. Experimental analysis will measure strain characteristics, pinpointing the factors driving WNV introduction and persistence in Fort Collins. This interdisciplinary approach aims to provide insights for control strategies and enhance understanding of WNV spread.
