Thesis/Topic: Host-vector-pathogen associations in relation to elevational changes between communities of American pikas (Ochotona princeps) and sympatric rodents. 

Advisor: Dr. Richard Brown

Undergraduate Degree/Institution: Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University

Bio: Growing up in the foothills of Calaveras County naturally intrigued my fascination of the natural world. Working as a CDFW scientific aid for the past few years spurred my interest in understanding how wildlife health is directly and indirectly affected by changing environmental conditions. It is known that changing climatic conditions consequently drives changes in ecological patterns and processes including shifts in species distributions, which may have implications for transmission of wildlife diseases. My research project will further explore how climate-induced range contraction of American pikas and range expansion of competitive sympatric rodents may alter host-vector-pathogen associations through increases in spatiotemporal overlap and spillover risk, potentially exposing pikas to rodent-associated diseases. Findings from this study can help identify competitive and environmental stressors, detect emerging health threats, and inform future conservation and management actions for climate-sensitive species.