Understanding how agrochemicals influence the transmission of global parasitic diseases
Justin Remais, Professor
Public Health
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2024.
The Remais Lab is currently seeking a URAP apprentice(s) interested in gaining primary research experience to collaborate on a recently funded NIH project investigating the effects of expanding agriculture on infectious disease transmission. The projects seeks to investigate the effects of agrochemicals on parasite transmission using a combination of field research and mathematical and statistical models. The student will work closely with existing research group members to characterize, quantitatively, the interaction between agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, their uses, applications, and the transmission of human schistosomes, as well as the ecology of their intermediate host snails and predators.
Role: URAP apprentice will leverage existing epidemiological and environmental datasets -- in addition to generating or acquiring additional social and environmental data -- to investigate the determinants of parasite transmission in China and in the Senegal River Basin under changing agricultural conditions.
Undergraduate students are deeply integrated into our research group, contributing in a range of technical areas. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to meet and work with Prof Remais, along with postdocs, staff scientists and graduate students, and will have the opportunity to join lab meetings and share ideas on all facets of our global infectious disease research program.
Qualifications: A background in environmental science, computer science, mathematics, modeling, population biology, environmental engineering, agronomy, ecology, population biology, ecotoxicology or epidemiology are preferred, and/or a technical skillset including statistical or spatial analysis, GIS, math, programming in any language. Effective written and verbal communication are essential. Advanced qualifications of the candidate would be a plus, including experience with environmental modeling, familiarity with R, programming, experience with theoretical ecology, remote sensing, GIS or differential equations. Additional helpful skills include familiarity with citation management software such as EndNote as well as experience conducting literature reviews.
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: http://justinremais.weebly.com/
Related website: http://justinremais.weebly.com/