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Inproceedings Reference Restoring nature's health: Investigating the effects of ecosystem restoration on zoonotic disease risk
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose a significant threat to global public health. Among the factors contributing to the increase of EIDs today, habitat degradation stands out as a prominent driver, exerting both direct and indirect influences on disease dynamics. While it is commonly assumed that simply reversing ecosystem degradation will restore disease regulation mechanisms, such a presumption may oversimplify the complex response involved. My PhD project aims to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the impact of ecosystem restoration on zoonotic disease risk by examining terrestrial small mammal (TSM) and microparasite diversity within sampling sites following a chronosequence of ecosystem restoration in the Congo Basin. Through comprehensive sampling methods, including the capture of TSMs, and collection of iDNA and acoustic samples, the project will investigate how small mammal and microparasite diversity and prevalence evolve over time post-restoration. An emphasis will be placed on a subset of vector-borne and directly transmitted microparasites associated with African TSMs frequently found in the Congo Basin (i.e. Hepaciviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Orthonairovirus, Leptospira, Bartonella, and Anaplasma). The findings of this study will help unravel the complex interactions between ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and zoonotic disease risk, offering crucial insights for the improvement and safeguarding of human, animal, and ecosystem health. This research is situated within the framework of the RESTOREID project (Horizon Europe; PI: Herwig Leirs), which aims to investigate the role of landscape restoration in mitigating disease risk using various field sites in Europe and Africa.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Identifying EU-listed Aquatic Invasive Species by DNA-barcoding using currently available sequence data
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022 OA
Book Reference Esponjas marinas y de Agua Dulce del Peru
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Article Reference Barcoding and traditional health practitioner perspectives are informative to monitor and conserve frogs and reptiles traded for traditional medicine in urban South Africa
Previous literature suggests that Indigenous cultural practices, specifically traditional medicine, are commonplace among urban communities contrary to the general conception that such practices are restricted to rural societies. We reviewed previous literature for records of herptiles (frog and reptile species) sold by traditional health practitioners in urban South Africa, then used visual confirmation surveys, DNA barcoding and folk taxonomy to identify the herptile species that were on sale. Additionally, we interviewed 11 IsiZulu and SePedi speaking traditional health practitioners to document details of the collection and pricing of herptile specimens along with the practitioners' views of current conservation measures for traditional medicine markets. The 34 herptile species recorded in previous literature on traditional medicine markets included endangered and non-native species. Spectrophotometry measurements of the DNA we extracted from the tissue of herptiles used in traditional medicine were an unreliable predictor of whether those extractions would be suitable for further experimental work. From our initial set of 111 tissue samples, 81 sequencing reactions were successful and 55 of those sequences had species-level matches to COI reference sequences on the NCBI GenBank and/or BOLD databases. Molecular identification revealed that traditional health practitioners correctly labelled 77% of the samples that we successfully identified with DNA barcoding in this study. Our mixed methodology approach is useful for conservation planning as it updates knowledge of animal use in Indigenous remedies and can accurately identify species of high conservation priority. Furthermore, this study highlights the possibility of collaborative conservation planning with traditional health practitioners.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Inproceedings Reference Paleo-Pathological Studies at Pachacamac, Peru: Challenges and Preliminary Results
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Webpublished Reference The Veldhoven Formation
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Webpublished Reference The Voort Member
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Webpublished Reference The Wintelre Member
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Webpublished Reference The Someren Member
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Webpublished Reference The Boncelles Formation
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023