Lab projects include: epidemiological and biogeographic investigations of the distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii (with Sunny Mak, BCCDC); modelling of West Nile virus, its predicted arrival in BC and the correlation of occurrences with degrees days (with Kaoru Tachiiri); conservation practices and the infection risk of tick-borne zoonotic disease in the Okanagan-Similkameen. 

Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii

Cryptococcus neofrmans var. gattii appeared in North America as a disjunct occurrence from its native range in Australia.  It is reported from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of BC.  Understanding how it arrived here, how it is spreading, and why it is spreading is important in dealing with this pathogen.

What is Cryptococcus?
Update on Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii Outbreak on Vancouver Island 1999-2003 (Maps included)
What's a nice tropical fungus like Cryptococcus doing in a place like BC?
Cryptococcus neoformans Genome Project website. Genome Project website
The TIGR Cryptococcus neoformans Database
What Makes Cryptococcus neoformans a Pathogen?
The ecology of Cryptococcus neoformans and the epidemiology of cryptococcosis.
Ecology of Cryptococcus neoformans in central Africa
A Peach of a Pathogen: Cryptococcus neoformans

West Nile virus

The expansion of West Nile virus and other pathogens in North America may be tied to climate change.  Understanding the complex relationship between physical processes and infectious disease, and how this will influence prevalence, requires an understanding of the environmental factors that propel them.  To date (January 2008) West Nile Virus has not been confirmed in BC.  Modelling climate and West Nile virus may lead to some interesting insights, and will assist in predicting outbreak in BC. 

Related Papers and Presentations:

Tachiiri, Kaoru, Brian Klinkenberg, Jamil Kazmi and Sunny Mak. 2006. Predicting outbreaks:  A spatial risk assessment of West Nile virus in British Columbia. International Journal of Health Geographics 5: 21.

Tachiiri, Kaoru, Brian Klinkenberg (presenting author)and Sunny Mak.  June 2006.  Prediction of West Nile Virus in British Columbia.  GEOTEC Event 2006, and the Canadian Cartographic Association.  Joint Program.  June 18 -21. Ottawa, Ontario.  

Links:

West Nile Virus Warning System from Climate Data
West Nile Virus and Drought
West Nile Virus and Climate
Mapping West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus Warning System
Ecological and Environmental Factors Influencing Disease Emergence
Invasion Biology:  Introduced Species Summary--West Nile Virus
Lack of pattern in West Nile virus

Conservation Practices and Tick-borne Zoonotic Diseases

Tick-borne diseases such a Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have ties to the landscape. Exploring these ties and the factors that influence prevalence of ticks will lend insight into spread, establishment and prevalence of disease, lending insight into disease risk.