Michael Muehlenbein

My research interests are focused primarily on various aspects of the biology and ecology of infectious diseases, including the human and non-human primate physiological adaptations to these diseases as well as the impact of environmental change on zoonotic disease transmission, specifically between human and non-human primate populations. This involves assessment of primate disease ecology primarily within the context of ecotourism. Human encroachment into previously un-impacted forest is believed to be partly responsible for various emerging infectious diseases. Encroachment into these areas can facilitate disease transmission from animal to human not only through increased initial contact between the two, but also from elevated population densities of animals confined to smaller tracks of forest. In addition to work with orangutans in Borneo and macaques in Japan, I have also conducted parasitological analyses on wild chimpanzee, sifaka, baboon, and vervet populations in the past. You can read more about my interests and the work of our lab here

May 2013