EEB Tuesday Seminar Series - Bats, Rats, and Immune Chats: How Introgression Shapes Parasite Susceptibility

This event is part of our ongoing Tuesday Lunch Seminar Series.

Hybridization plays a complex role in nature, driving adaptation and biodiversity by introducing genetic variation. In some cases, it can enhance immune responses through hybrid vigor, providing hybrids with advantages in combating infections. My research investigates the connections between hybridization, immunogenetic diversity, and parasite susceptibility in small mammals, focusing on Myotis bats and Rattus rats—key reservoirs of diverse parasites. Specifically, I will examine how ancestral hybridization influences RNA virus tolerance in Myotis bats and explore endoparasite resistance in hybrid populations of Rattus rattus and Rattus tanezumi. Beyond the scientific goals, I am committed to increasing accessibility and inclusivity in science. Using insights from this research, I am developing portable science escape rooms to engage students from third grade to high school in learning about ecology, evolutionary biology, and bat conservation. These escape rooms will be implemented in Michigan and Belize to spark curiosity and inspire underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM fields.