Jessica L Hite, M.S., Ph.D.
She/her/hers
Principal Investigator (btw, updating the website in short windows of time, feel free to email me with any typos that you spot :)!
Lab: 236, Office: 237
email: jhite2@wisc.edu
Jessica (or Jess, both are fine :). And Hite is pronounced like Kite but with an H.
Working on puzzles to understand the proximate and ultimate drivers of pathogen evolution, sometimes from the pathogen’s perspective, other times from the hosts, usually in multiple host-pathogen/parasite systems, often using a combination of molecular and quantitative tools from ecology, epidemiology, and evolution, and increasingly, with extension and art-science outreach projects that seek to bridge the gap between the needs of complex human societies and the amazing environments we inhabit. Read More
Eric NEENO-ECKWALL, Ph.D.
He/him/his
Research Scientist/Data bird
Lab: 236, Office: 237
Eric is a microbiologist and bioinformatician leading projects in the lab focused on targeting pathogen metabolism to limit the evolution of energetically expensive traits like virulence and drug resistance. He’s also the lab wizard who keeps the lab running like a well-oiled Colnago.
Colette nikodem, M.p.h., pH.D
She/her/hers
USDA Postdoctoral Fellow
email: cnickodem@wisc.edu
Colette’s research focuses on understanding links between managing for soil health and animal health and how these goals shape feedbacks that alter pathogen retention and antimicrobial resistance. Colette joined the lab Summer 2023.
Chloe FOUILLOUX, pH.D
She/her/hers
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
email: fouilloux@wisc.edu
Chloé Fouilloux is an evolutionary ecologist interested in the intersection of animals, the environment, and how diverse pathogens hop between the two. Excited by anything that moves, when she is not coding or catching creatures you will find her in the water or on a bike. Chloe joined the lab Fall 2023. Interested in learning more? Visit chloefouilloux.com.
Aaron R. GREENE, M.S.
He/him/his
Data Scientist, Visiting Scholar/Data bird
Aaron Green is a data scientist and GIS expert. Currently, he is identifying ‘hot spots’ of antimicrobial resistance across the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Aaron is also developing an interactive, web-based interface with resources and guides for farmers and land managers interested in improving both soil and animal health and reducing contamination of antimicrobials and preventing pathogen spill-overs from livestock to humans, wildlife and watersheds.
ELDON AGER, MS
He/him/his
Doctoral Student
email: eager2@wisc.edu
Eldon is a PhD student in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. Eldon completed his Masters Degree in the One Health Program at the University of Edinburgh and holds a Bachelor of Science (Animal Health and Production) from Kenyatta University. His research interest is in epidemiology, One health, Zoonoses, public health and science communication. Eldon’s research focuses on cross-species transmission of antimicrobial resistance via horizontal gene transfer. His project combines bioinformatics and lab experiments with multiple bacteria and Drosophila. Eldon joined the lab Spring 2023.
IPSITA SRINIVAS, BS
She/her/hers
Doctoral Student
email: isrinivas@wisc.edu
Ispita is a PhD student in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the epidemiological and ecological drivers of spatio-temporal variation in helminth transmission. Ipsita’s work combines geospatial modeling, lab experiments, and field patterns of ongoing epidemics. Ipsita joined the lab Summer 2023.
kATELYN SESOLAK
She/her/hers
M.S. Student Bacteriology
Kate’s research focuses on quantifying age- and stage-specific infection parameters for eco-epidemiological models using a helminth-copepod system. Kate is leading the charge on refining infection assays with copepods and helminths. Pioneering new culturing methods and conducting life table assays.
Johnny SCOTT COMPTOM
He/him/his
Lab Manager
Johnny oversees and manages all aspects of fly and bacteria research in the lab. Johnny is a sophomore studying Biology with broad interests in epidemiology, disease management, and pathogen evolution. Johnny joined the lab in Summer 2023.
Jumana Tanner
She/her/hers
Juamana is a zooplankton taxonomist extraordinaire and is leading the charge of identifying field patterns to help us understand the epidemiological and ecological drivers of spatio-temporal variation in helminth transmission. Jumana joined the lab in Fall 2023.
HARPER IVY SMITH
She/her/hers
Research Assistant
Harper is a sophmore majoring in zoology and working on projects to develop novel anti-virulence therapies to limit the evolution of drug resistance. Harper joined the lab in Spring 2023.
NAING NAING
His/his
Research Assistant
Naing is working on a combination of literature reviews and DNA extractions for our Farm-to-Table project. Naing joined the lab in Spring 2023.
AFTON GRACE
She/her/hers
Research Assistant
Afton is working on a combination of literature reviews and DNA extractions for our Farm-to-Table project. Afton joined the lab in Spring 2024.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Mine/mine/mine
Fox is particularly interested in frisbees, kong balls, and cheese. RIP my dear dear Fox, best dog ever.
On to new ADVENTURES…but not forgotten!
Postdoctoral Fellows:
Justin Buchanan (2021-2022)
Research Assistants
Fatemeh Ekbataniamiri, MS (2021-2022)
Undergraduate Researchers
Carolyn Ruiz Riveras (Summer 2023)
Peyton Thomas (2021-2022)
Alexander Van Dam (2021-2022)
Emilie Dewever, DVM (2022)
Jess Lysne, BS (2021)
Laura S. Peña Serrano (2021)
